ABSTRACT
In clean manufacturing environments, air is the pathway for particles traveling from the source of generation onto critical product surfaces. In order to control the movement of particles, it is necessary to control the movement and actions of the personnel within the cleanroom. In training sessions for cleanroom operators, the best way to summarize the essential need for contamination control and strict adherence to protocol is by setting the scene and then asking participants a simple question. Clean-environment contaminants include particles, temperature, humidity, vapors, static electricity, gases, and water or power interruptions. However, the largest source of contamination in the cleanroom/controlled environment is the presence of the personnel who work in that environment. To reduce the amount of particle contamination suspended in the air, contamination deposited on the product, cleanroom employees most adopt work habits that are different from those used in other types of manufacturing environments.
