MicroBio Cross Contamination Risk Statement

By Stephen Plumridge

The MicroBio range of bioaerosol samplers are designed to oﬀer minimal chances of cross

contamination within all applications, so long as operational precautions are taken.

Definition

Cross-contamination is what happens when bacteria or other microorganisms are unintentionally

transferred from one object to another. Moving any equipment between cleanrooms or between

diﬀerent cleanroom classes will always carry a risk of cross contamination.

To avoid cross contamination, the air sampler should be designated for use only in one dedicated

zone and only for one cleanroom class. Diﬀerent zones or classes should each have their own air

sampler.

If moving the same air sampler between zones within the same cleanroom class, then cleaning

protocols should be used when the device leaves the zone and when entering the next zone.

Such protocols are under the control of users only, but we have some recommendations below.

The devices can be cleaned using most methods employed within cleanrooms, except the use of

caustic based cleaning agents. IPA wipes or hydrogen peroxide vapour (HPV) based cleaning can

be regularly used. Full guidance is in the operating manuals. For the air inlet and exhaust points,

cleaning swabs can be used on the inlet and exhaust paths along with IPA cleaning sprays.

Alternatively HPV cleaning can be used.

All surfaces are easily cleaned. The air flow path on MicroBio Air Sampler passes direct from the

blower inlet, through the blades and is directly exhausted. It does not pass over any other

components within the structure of the air sampler.

MicroBio air samplers do not incorporate HEPA filtering. HEPA filtering only needs to be

considered if the same single air sampler is to be used across multiple cleanroom classes and

between use thorough cleaning is not possible.

Cantium Scientific Limited has no control of the operation of the products at customer facilities. It

is the customer’s responsibility to determine the suitability of the MicroBio air sampler to their

application.