Experiments were carried out to ascertain the proportion of microbes that would be transferred from
a contaminated surface to a receiving surface in a cleanroom. To simulate transfers, microbe-carrying
particles (MCPs) were sampled from the skin onto donating sterile surfaces, which were latex gloves,
stainless steel and clothing fabric. A contact was made between these surfaces and a sterile receiving
surface of stainless steel, and the proportion of MCPs transferred ascertained. The proportion of
MCPs transferred, i.e. the transfer coefficient, was 0.19 for gloves, 0.10 for stainless steel, and 0.06 for
clothing fabric. These transfer coefficients would vary in different conditions and the reasons are
discussed
