Blue Light Disinfection in Cleanroom Personnel Cut‑Off Rooms & Material Airlocks
The Challenge of Boundary Zones and Entry Points
Personnel interlocks (cut-off rooms, gowning areas) and material airlocks serve as critical boundary zones and entry points in controlled environments across the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries.
Research indicates that human movement alone accounts for approximately 70–80% of microbial contamination in cleanrooms. Materials, equipment, and supplies contribute an additional 5–15%, emphasizing the significance of these entry points as contamination control points.
Figure: The most common sources of microbial contamination in cleanrooms. Read the full article here.
Implementing effective microbial control at these entry points is a highly efficient strategy for reducing the risk of contaminants reaching the cleaner areas and production environment.
Why Blue Light? A Perfect Match for Airlocks
Spectral Blue’s MWHI® (Multi‑Wavelength, High‑Intensity) blue light disinfection system is designed for continuous, autonomous operation against microbial contamination both in air and on surfaces—without reliance on UV light or chemical agents.
- Continuous disinfection ensures that decontamination is maintained between manual cleaning cycles.
- Non-damaging and non-corrosive, blue light is compatible with common construction materials and is safe for routine human exposure.
- No known resistance development: The photodynamic mechanism of Spectral Blue MWHI does not promote microbial adaptation or resistance.
Documented Results in Operational Environments
- At NextPharma, installation of Spectral Blue in a material airlock and adjacent equipment washing area resulted in a 90% reduction in microbial contamination within the production zone. Read the whole customer story here.
- At Phillips‑Medisize (Molex Group), the system enabled reducing the frequency of manual chemical disinfection from five times per week to once, achieving an 80% reduction in chemical usage and associated labor. Read the whole customer story here.
- At a large international pharma company, the system achieved a significant and persistent reduction of microbial contamination in a personnel cut-off room. The effectiveness was attributed to the elimination of biofilms in the room, which then allowed also regular hygiene practices to perform better. Read the whole customer story here.
ROI: Safety, Compliance, Cost Savings
Hygiene & Compliance: Supports GMP, FSMA, and internal hygiene standards through consistent bioburden reduction.
Chemical Reduction: Decreases the need for frequent manual disinfection, lowering chemical and labor costs.
Operational Reliability: Designed for maintenance-free operation over multiple years, without staff intervention.
How It Works
The Spectral Blue devices can be installed on ceilings or walls of personnel and material entry zones. They emit antimicrobial multi-wavelength blue light throughout the space, delivering full-room coverage during all operational phases—without the need for manual activation or chemical residues.
Why Spectral Blue is Ideal for Airlocks
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Non-intrusive: No UV, no ozone—safe for both staff and equipment.
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Uninterrupted operation: 24/7 activity ensures consistent disinfection.
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Sustainable: Requires no consumables and supports resistance-free microbial control.
Enhance Contamination Control at Cleanroom Entry Points
Spectral Blue supports microbial control where it matters most—before contamination reaches production.
Request a complimentary 3D disinfection plan for your facility’s airlocks or personnel cut-off areas and explore how Spectral Blue can support your hygiene strategy.
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