What is the maximum particle count per cubic meter in ISO Class 5?

ISO Class 5 cleanrooms are designed to have a controlled level of air cleanliness, which is critical for environments that involve the preparation of sterile pharmaceuticals and other sensitive processes. The standard for ISO Class 5 specifies that there can be no more than 3,520 particles per cubic meter that are 0.5 µm or larger in size. This stringent limit is established to ensure that the risk of contamination is minimized in the cleanroom environment, thus protecting both the products being manufactured and the safety of patients.

Understanding the significance of ISO Class 5 is crucial for IV technicians, as maintaining an appropriate particle count directly impacts the sterility of intravenous medications and infusions. This standard is part of a classification system that goes from ISO Class 1 (the cleanest) to ISO Class 9, with each higher class allowing more particles. Knowing these limits helps technicians ensure compliance and maintain proper conditions during the compounding and handling of sterile preparations.