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Laminar flow cabins and its sterilization and disinfection

When we deal with cleanroom issues, processes that require a controlled and aseptic environment, cleanliness is one of the most important points to touch. But, in sectors and circumstances in which these requirements are taken to the next level, we will talk about sterilization. Today we will deal with the sterilization of laminar flow cabins, the difference between disinfection and sterilization, and more characteristics you should know about this process.

Autor:
Raúl Fernández
Lectura:
6 min

The importance of laminar flow cabins and their sterilization

Today, when we talk about clean rooms or Laminar flow cabins, we are talking about work spaces where demanding levels of cleaning and disinfection are required. The sterilization of these spaces is especially important, in which activities are carried out with Great responsibility for health risks. Many of the conditions are already given by recommendations of the World Health Organization, as well as by other regulations on health, food safety, pharmaceuticals, etc., therefore there is a Concrete cleaning and disinfection method for each type of activity.

In this type of installation, being sure that there is a correct cleaning, disinfection and sterilization that is correct and adequate to the regulations and their requirements is essential. It is about guaranteeing, not only that the processes that are going to be carried out inside are carried out correctly, but also the protection of the operators themselves in many cases. For this reason, it is vitally important to know how the sterilization of a laminar flow booth should occur and what it entails.

 The difference between disinfection and sterilization

Many times it is difficult to understand The difference between cleaning, disinfection and sterilization, but these are different processes that must be taken into account when dealing with an installation such as a laminar flow booth. A correct cleaning of an area must have a cleaning process, disinfection and a subsequent sterilization while maintaining controlled levels of microbial load.

Specifically, when we talk about the sterilization of a laminar flow booth, We are talking about a method of destruction that produces cell death of all kinds of microorganisms that may exist on a surface. This process can only be carried out in objects and spaces, never living beings. Unlike cleaning or disinfection, sterilization allows controlling the level of lethality through chemical or biological controls, thus killing microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria and fungi. It is precisely this element of control and verification that makes sterilization so important in laminar flow cabins and other similar installations.

In any controlled room or laboratory facilities, a cleaning protocol must be available. However, this does not mean that The differences between cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing make it necessary for different processes to be carried out to ensure safety and compliance with the rules and requirements established in each sector of activity.

How the sterilization process works

Sterilization can be achieved through the use of physical and chemical means. In this case, we are going to see how through physical flows, There are three methods: heat (dry or wet), laminar flow or radiation. In our case, we will focus on the use of laminar flow for the sterilization of the spaces that require this level of care and cleanliness.

Laminar flow sterilization can be used in laminar flow booths and laminar flow rooms. Specifically, laminar flow sterilization consists of the elimination of germs by filtration of the air. This method is of limited use, it can occur in operating rooms where the level of environmental asepsis must be kept high, in pharmacy services; for the preparation of sterile products, and in isolates of immunosuppressed patients.

In these cases, Correct sterilization is of vital importance, to ensure that all processes are carried out correctly and safely. Therefore, it is useless if a correct cleaning protocol is not followed, so it must be carried out by specialists.

The laminar flow in these cabins facilitates the direction of air through the use of special filters, HEPA (High Efficiency Particle AIR, which are high-efficiency filters capable of retaining particles ≥ 0.3 μm with efficiency minimum of 99.97%) or ultra, thus facilitating the filtering of air in the work area and obtaining sterile conditions exactly where they are needed. There are two types of systems:

  • Vertical: in which the filters are located on the roof and, in this way, the flow of air, already disinfected, occurs from the roof to the ground.
  • Horizontal: on one side of the room to the opposite side horizontally because the air filter is located on one of the side walls.

The purpose of these cabins is to create “air barriers” allowing it to flow at a constant speed and in a single direction, which is known as “laminar airflow”. providing clean and constant air at a step speed of 0.3 to 0.5 meters per second, thus avoiding the suspension of particles in the air. In this way, the laminar flow achieves the sterilization that we seek within the cabin, allowing to work with the necessary safety. and established according to regulations.

Now you know What are the differences between disinfection and sterilization, how the cleaning is complemented with the necessary sterilization within a laminar flow cabin and how this type of flow can be used for sterilization. If you want to know more about laminar cabins and their types, from Labsom we offer you extensive Information in our posts.

Questions about Laminar Flow Cabin Sterilization

Is it mandatory that laminar flow booths be sterilized?

By definition, this type of installation must be disinfected, in fact, being a space with sterile conditions is its main function within a facility, whether pharmaceutical or any other type.

Are there standards for cleaning, disinfection and sterilization for clean rooms?

Yes, on the one hand, the regulations common to all rooms of the controlled environment (ISO and GMP) establish a series of criteria that must be met. To this we must also add the specific requirements of each sector in reference to sterilization and cleaning.

How should clean rooms be cleaned?

The cleanroom protocols determine that the cleaning of a room of these characteristics must be carried out following the following order: From the cleanest to the dirtier or the top to the bottom and always using the appropriate products for the process.

Autor:
Raúl
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