An art exhibit in London¹ inspired us to ponder changing views about the definitions and implications of soil, residue, contamination, and especially the design and operation of controlled environments. We were amused by the satirical cartoons, and we were especially struck by depictions of the ultimate fashion in cholera protection, one of which is reproduced below (Figure 1).* Biohazard suits have evolved, as have manufacturers’ views of what is necessary and appropriate in cleanroom design and operation.

Cleanrooms are expensive real estate in terms of initial capital investment, upkeep, and employee education. In times of exacting product performance requirements, of economic challenges, and of increased competition, making wise decisions about controlled environments is a must.

The issue is analogous to critical cleaning of product in that more cleaning is not necessarily better. Overly-engineered cleanroom design, unneeded activities in the cleanroom, and inappropriately-complicated cleanroom discipline programs can be both costly and may in fact be counterproductive. Perhaps using this fashion illustration as inspiration, we invite you to consider what aspects of cleanroom design are crucial, what might be optional, and what, in your application, might be counterproductive. As further inspiration, we invited some colleagues, all with extensive experience in cleanrooms, to provide comments and ideas.