Where is contamination control used?

Contamination controlis the collective name for any method that effectively controls the growth and proliferation of contamination. Contamination control may refer both to contamination prevention as well as to decontamination (i.e. controlling the spread of contamination from a hazardous materials site, etc.).FunctionContamination control is one of the most vital aspects of health and safety in areas where environmental sterility is a critical concern. The purpose of the wide range of contamination control procedures and standards is to ensure cleanliness by reducing or eradicating all viable and non-viable contamination, and maintaining an efficient rate of production.
Where is contamination control used?One of the most common environments that incorporates contamination control into its standards protocol is the cleanroom. There are many preventative procedures in place within the cleanroom environment. Procedures include subjecting cleanroom staff to strict clothing regulations, and there is often a gowning room where the staff can change under sterile conditions, so as to prevent any particulate from entering from the outside environment. Certain areas in the cleanroom have more stringent measures than others. Places such as packaging areas, corridors, gowning rooms and transfer hatches incorporate strict contamination control measures in order to keep to the cleanroom standards.
Contamination control is also an important asset to laboratories in industries such as the pharmaceutical and life science sectors. Other places of use include automotive paint shops, entrances to industrial kitchens and food service providers, many manufacturing areas, and in electronic component assembly areas.
More recently contamination control has been a concern for laboratories and other sensitive environments as an effective bio-security crisis management measure. Some banks and insurance companies use contamination control products as part of their disaster management protocols. Preventative measures are put in place as preparation for potential pandemics or the proliferation of biohazards in any potential terrorist attack.