Did you know that particle emissions from people working in cleanrooms are a real problem? Yes, that's right! In fact, humans are responsible for most of the small, invisible particles that can contaminate a product.

Today, let's take a look at how many particles a human releases in different situations and how the biggest contaminants can be avoided.

1. movement makes particles!

• Standing still: When standing, a person in cotton clothing releases over 800,000 particles >0.5 µm per minute. Yes, you read that right - even when standing still, we are small particle factories!
• Walking: A leisurely stroll through the cleanroom? The particle emission increases to around 35 million particles per minute. So, better move slowly and carefully!
• Running: If you're in a hurry, you're in the wrong place in the cleanroom. Fast movements should be avoided as much as possible in the cleanroom. So don't run, don't jump, don't dance.

2. clothing is crucial!

• Normal clothing: Without special protective clothing, we are a veritable parade of particles. With cotton clothing, open hair and uncovered skin, millions of particles are released even with simple movements.
• Gown and bonnet: Simply putting on a gown and a simple bonnet keeps a large proportion of the unwanted particles out of our clothing and head.
• Cleanroom garments (overalls with eye protection): It's a good thing that cleanroom clothing exists! Special cleanroom suits are designed to drastically reduce particle emissions - to around 10,000 particles per minute at standstill. A real game changer!

3. coughing and sneezing - the particle explosion!

• Coughing: A single cough can release hundreds of thousands of particles that are dispersed in the air. Wearing disposable masks can prevent the worst, but it is better to suppress the cough as much as possible.
• Sneezing: This is where it gets really wild - one sneeze can throw up to 1.4 million particles into the air. There's only one thing to do: sneeze into a disposable cloth, leave the cleanroom or don't enter it at all if you have a cold.
• Smoking: We all know that smoking causes particulate matter. But did you know that smokers continue to blow particles into the air for up to twenty minutes after stubbing out their cigarette? Smoking breaks for cleanroom workers must be correspondingly long.