No abstract

The need for a device to sample large areas that are lightly contaminated with microorganisms motivated the development of the vacuum probe. The intended use of the instrument is to sample clean surfaces in laminar flow clean rooms, but the device could be used for sampling surfaces in other clean environments. Such a device was designed, fabricated, and tested at Sandia Laboratories, Albuquerque, N.M. In these tests, the vacuum probe removed a mean of 89% and assayed a mean of 67% of bacterial spores, approximately 1 μm in length, settled on smooth surfaces which were free from viscous films.

The microbiological control efficiency of two class 100 laminar down-flow hoods was determined by using aerosols of Bacillus subtilis var. niger spores. The first unit challenged utilized a slanted eyelid to partially enclose the front work opening. This hood showed nearly perfect control of ambient organisms in the work area. It also gave a 106 or greater drop in the number of organisms passing out of the exhaust system. However, when the interior work area of the hood was challenged, significant numbers of spores penetrated the air barrier and escaped into the ambient air. A redesigned laminar flow hood was built incorporating a vertical eyelid and a reduced opening to the work area. This hood showed the same excellent characteristics for controlling ambient contamination. Exhaust system leakage was also extremely low. Air barrier efficiency for the newer hood was increased with lower amounts of spore penetration into the ambient air.

No abstract

The microbiological control efficiency of two class 100 laminar down-flow hoods was determined by using aerosols of Bacillus subtilis var. niger spores. The first unit challenged utilized a slanted eyelid to partially enclose the front work opening. This hood showed nearly perfect control of ambient organisms in the work area. It also gave a 10 6 or greater drop in the number of organisms passing out of the exhaust system. However, when the interior work area of the hood was challenged, significant numbers of spores penetrated the air barrier and escaped into the ambient air. A redesigned laminar flow hood was built incorporating a vertical eyelid and a reduced opening to the work area. This hood showed the same excellent characteristics for controlling ambient contamination. Exhaust system leakage was also extremely low. Air barrier efficiency for the newer hood was increased with lower amounts of spore penetration into the ambient air.