Category Archives: Knowledge Base

Cleaning & Disinfection, Knowledge Base

Pre-Wetted Wipers Optimized for Application-Specific Cleaning

Posted on by Berkshire Corporation
Technical_Brief_Pre_Wetted_Wipers_Optimized_for_Application_Specific_Cleaning
28
Apr

HERE’S A LOOK at the three optimum isopropyl alcohol (IPA) concentrations found in pre-wetted cleanroom wipers. What is the Optimum IPA Concentration based on your specific application? This Technical Brief presents an overview of: Cleaning liquids: Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) Flammability ratings Transportation and storage concerns Healthcare vs. Microelectronics cleaning applications Volatile Organic Carbons (VOCs) Thank you [Read More…]

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Cleaning & Disinfection, Knowledge Base

Big Problems with Small Ions

Posted on by Berkshire Corporation
ions-whitepaper
09
Apr

The Issue Of Ion Contamination In Electronics Manufacturing Processes Is Of Critical Importance. Therefore It Is Incumbent On Manufacturers To Be Vigilant In Detecting And Minimizing Ionic Contamination. By Howard Siegerman, Ph.D BIG PROBLEMS WITH SMALL IONS THE ISSUE OF ION CONTAMINATION in microelectronics is of critical importance because electronic device failures have been directly linked [Read More…]

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Cleaning & Disinfection, Knowledge Base

Why Is Isopropyl Alcohol the Choice for Cleanroom Cleaning?

Posted on by Berkshire Corporation
ipa-cleaning
09
Nov

ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL (IPA) is widely accepted as a good liquid for keeping cleanroom surfaces in pristine condition. But what about methyl, ethyl, or butyl alcohol? Why aren’t these types of alcohols considered for cleanroom cleaning, too? It all comes down to performance, safety, and price. Methyl Alcohol And Evaporation At room temperature, methyl alcohol has three [Read More…]

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Aseptic Cleaning, Knowledge Base

Cleanroom Supply Standards in Aseptic Manufacturing Environments

Posted on by Berkshire Corporation
sterile_cleanroom_lynn_1
15
Oct

IF YOU ARE MANUFACTURING in an aseptic environment, it’s important for your cleanroom supplies to be sterilized with a validated process. This whitepaper, written by Lynn Stanard, Berkshire’s Senior Quality Manager, will help you understand the sterilization methods used by consumables suppliers and what to look for when procuring supplies Sterile Cleanroom Management This whitepaper provides [Read More…]

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Cleaning & Disinfection, Knowledge Base

How and When to Use Bleach in Cleanroom Cleaning

Posted on by Berkshire Corporation
bleach
16
Sep

HOUSEHOLD BLEACH is well known for its ability to remove stains and whiten clothes during laundering. Bleach also finds application in health care facilities with cleanrooms. Such applications include aseptic pharmaceutical suites, biomedical device manufacturing and compounding pharmaceutical facilities that require the biocidal and sterilant capabilities of bleach. Bleach solutions, which are active against bacteria, viruses, [Read More…]

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Cleaning & Disinfection, Knowledge Base

Should Cleanroom Cleaning Supplies Come From a Hardware Store?

Posted on by Berkshire Corporation
hardware_store
16
Sep

YOU CAN BUY SOLVENTS like acetone and turpentine from a hardware store, but you really shouldn’t. Solvents sold in the hardware store are not refined to the level required for cleanroom cleaning. When applied to surfaces, the hardware store variety of solvents will leave visible residues behind after they have evaporated. Cleaning With Acetone Or Turpentine [Read More…]

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Cleaning & Disinfection, Knowledge Base

Phenolic Solutions: Are They Cleaners or Disinfectants?

Posted on by Berkshire Corporation
small-bacteria
15
Sep

THOUGH PHENOLIC SOLUTIONS are often referred to as “cleaning solutions,” they actually deviate somewhat from the typical cleaning solution. Generally, cleaning solutions are characterized by their ability to remove soils (contaminants) from surfaces. Phenolic solutions don’t really do this. Cleaning solutions remove soils from surfaces by lowering the surface tension of the thin water layer that [Read More…]

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Cleaning & Disinfection, Knowledge Base

Auditing Conformance to Standard Operating Procedures

Posted on by Berkshire Corporation
auditing_image
12
Sep

CLEANROOM SOPs cover everything from gowning and hygiene to allowable materials and maintenance. An audit can ensure conformance to those standards. Conformance Auditing Basics This Technical Brief presents an overview of: Standard operating procedures (SOPs). SOP auditing benefits and limitations. Preparation and execution of a conformance audit. Cleanroom maintenance. Proper wiping techniques. Get briefed on all [Read More…]

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Cleaning & Disinfection, Knowledge Base

A Look at Quats, ‘Low Quats’ … and Loquats?

Posted on by Berkshire Corporation
loquats
11
Sep

QUATERNARY AMMONIUM SALTS are sometimes called “quats.” Low concentrations of quats (sometimes called “low quats”) are used in water as disinfecting agents. When it comes to contamination control, some terminology can be confusing. Let’s clear something up: A “quat” is the abbreviation for a class of chemicals known as quaternary ammonium salts. Low concentrations of quats [Read More…]

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Cleaning & Disinfection, Knowledge Base

Choosing the Right Solvent for Removing Soils from Surfaces

Posted on by Berkshire Corporation
hexane
07
Sep

WHEN IT COMES to choosing the most appropriate solvent for removing soils from surfaces, it’s important to remember opposites don’t always attract. On the contrary, the optimum solvent for cleaning relies on the principle “like dissolves like”. Like Dissolves Like Select a polar solvent, such as water, to dissolve polar residues, such as salts. Select a [Read More…]

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