PPE and Safety Apparel

Disposable Versus Reusable: Why it Matters

While a reusable lab coat is a sustainable choice for the environment because of reduced waste, some studies show that it can only be washed a few times before its ability to filter bacteria efficiently erodes, making it potentially questionable for critical cleanroom use. Disposable garments that are fabricated for particulate-free atmospheres are typically constructed of a non-woven fabric made from synthetic fibers such as Dacron^®, Tyvek^®, polypropylene, polyethylene, or polyester, or microporous film laminate fabric. The entangled mat of filaments minimizes particle shedding and provides a barrier to micron sized particles. Reusable lab coats can be a solution for labs that do not have cleanroom classifications. However, garment selection for crucial circumstances should be carefully considered.

Lab Pro stocks a cornucopia of clothing for cleanroom manufacturing, from  reusable lab coats, to high performance static dissipative cleanroom frocks.  

Garbing in Class

Non-aseptic cleanrooms Class 1,000 (ISO 6), Class 10,000 (ISO 7), or Class 100,000 (ISO 8) are the only cleanroom classifications that allow frock usage that do not need to be changed at every entry. All other cleanroom classes, both septic and non-aseptic, require the use of coveralls that need to be changed either every day or every entry.

For ISO Classes 4-6, beard cover, face mask, booties, coverall, hair cover, and gloves, are required, and these are almost always disposable. Hoods are needed for ISO Classes 4-5. Lab Pro has a selection of coveralls with attached hoods. Microporous and laminated fabrics provide the most protection.

Check with the garment manufacturer to understand specific instructions for laundering washable wear.

Understanding the Differences Between Risk-Mitigation Controls: Bacterial Filtration Efficiency

Reusable cleanroom garments must be sanitized with extremely hot water and sterilized per specific protocol, such as gamma irradiation. When selecting a cleanroom apparel provider that launders their garbing, please ensure that they provide those specification. A leading manufacturer of cleanroom apparel (Kimberly Clark) conducted testing on laundered reusable garments and found that the Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) declines more than 25% after an average of five washings. That is an alarming 1 out of 4 workers not wearing sterile garments at all. What is the useful life of these garments and when should they be retired? The answers vary – from 100 times, according to the material manufacturer, to 19, according to one pharmaceutical company. Here is what the Kimberly Clark study found:

• 100 percent of the worn sterile reusable garments tested showed a decline in BFE after washing.
• The filtration efficiency of the reusable garments was typically less than 70%.
• Fabric degradation was visible at the submicron level – enough to allow bacteria to penetrate the material.
• As the number of washes went up, the BFE went down.
• The average number of wash cycles was lower than expected.
• The total cost of ownership for reusable cleanroom apparel was much higher than projected.

If you’re using laundered garments, can you afford the risk when so much is at stake?

Engineered for Single-Use

Contamination control is vital for the construction of vaccines, microelectronics, aerospace, optical equipment, robotics, and semiconductors. Utilizing disposable garments for these applications will reduce defects, increase productivity, and increase quality. For these reasons it can make more sense to choose a cleanroom certified discardable item, because in the end, significant labor, time, and money will be saved. Not having to don additional garments through multiple steps of the manufacturing process because an entire lot of end-products failed inspections is a measurable gauge of productivity.

Another aspect of disposable cleanroom PPE is that they are typically constructed of thin, lightweight materials designed to maximize comfort, cost, and efficiency. Anti-microbial properties of these materials are unparalleled, which is imperative for germ-free landscapes. 

The Single-Use Solution

The cleanroom apparel you choose for your lab or facility will be partially dictated by the products you make. Reusable gear can be used in certain cleanroom until compromised and then transferred to departments where particulate shedding and filtration is less demanding. Many personal protective equipment items like bouffants, coveralls, cleanroom gloves, booties, and face masks can only be used one time to safeguard the products safely to the customer. Disposable single-use cleanroom garments have many benefits over launderable reusable apparel. The garments are washed once to guarantee optimal, predictable performance. The non-woven materials have 95% BFE. Disposable cleanroom apparel is breathable. Don’t let your choice of apparel endanger your scientific process. To ensure its purity, select the most reliable protective apparel available. The risks of cleanroom contamination are simply too great.

Lab Pro stays on top of cleanroom manufacturing trends and technologies to supply your lab with the garments you require.

Note: PPE apparel and chemicals are meant to be used for research, industrial work, cleaning or disinfecting and should always be stored out of the reach of young children or infants. 

For over 40 years, Lab Pro Inc. has been committed to delivering the highest quality chemicals, ESD protection, laboratory and cleanroom PPE supplies to medical device and electronic manufacturing laboratories worldwide. To learn more, visit the biggest Lab Supply showroom in California, or contact us online or at 888-452-2776.