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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">We follow the same rule. While I would like to give all our users the choice to make sensible decisions there are always some who will take the proverbial and make such a policy
difficult to administrate. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">If there was an emergency e.g. a potential HF exposure, or an evacuation alarm then it is vital that everyone has the best chance of response.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> labnetwork <labnetwork-bounces@mtl.mit.edu>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Kyle Keenan<br>
<b>Sent:</b> 19 March 2025 18:55<br>
<b>To:</b> Massey, Travis <massey21@llnl.gov><br>
<b>Cc:</b> labnetwork@mtl.mit.edu<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [labnetwork] Cleanroom dB levels<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:16.5pt;background:#F7F9FA"><strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#8D3970">CAUTION:</span></strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#8D3970"> This
e-mail originated outside the University of Southampton. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">For what it's worth, we tell people no earbuds whatsoever, with the two main arguments being that you might not hear a tool alarm or, worse, someone yelling for help in another bay.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Our lab also has ambient noise levels of 70-75 dB.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Kyle <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">On Wed, Mar 19, 2025 at 2:43<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span>PM Massey, Travis <<a href="mailto:massey21@llnl.gov">massey21@llnl.gov</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">We found the same thing in a very similar setup and identical ES&H guidance. Typically, we see 70-75
dB in the absence of personnel. The chase is closer to 75 dBa, and the bays are closer to 70 dBa. There were a few addressable offenders, like a loud spot where disrupted airflow created significant turbulence, increasing sound levels to 75 dBa in the cleanroom,
but this was easily resolved by removing the obstruction. Because none of these exceed the 85 dBA for 8h limit, ES&H will not get involved.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Users concerned about sound levels were tentative about hearing protection. What they
<i>actually</i> wanted in raising the concern was (a) to address the handful of loud spots, and (b) approval to use their noise cancelling earbuds in the cleanroom. To the latter, we’re in a trial period – if it doesn’t impact our ability to get someone’s
attention and talk with them when needed (e.g., can switch into transparency mode for a conversation), then neither I nor ES&H mind terribly if they wear their earbuds. Quality of life counts for something. We only cautioned that
<i>if</i> they play music, they set volume limits to not damage their hearing.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> labnetwork
<<a href="mailto:labnetwork-bounces@mtl.mit.edu" target="_blank">labnetwork-bounces@mtl.mit.edu</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>N Shane Patrick<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, March 18, 2025 5:41 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Joseph Losby <<a href="mailto:joseph.losby@ucalgary.ca" target="_blank">joseph.losby@ucalgary.ca</a>><br>
<b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:labnetwork@mtl.mit.edu" target="_blank">labnetwork@mtl.mit.edu</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [labnetwork] Cleanroom dB levels</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US">Our facility is bay and chase, no subfab, so all the pumps and chillers and all are right next door to the equipment. After a recent request by one of our staff
members, I did an informal survey using NIOSH’s Sound Level Monitor app (NIOSH SLM) and an uncalibrated microphone. The only time I got above 80db was when people were talking or dropped things, even in our loudest chases.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US">Sustained levels at 85 or more are the levels of concern for hearing loss according to US agencies. Our EHS team agreed with me that even with an uncalibrated
system we were very unlikely to reach sustained levels of concern. People are still welcome to use hearing protection for their own comfort, of course, and I’d likely provide it for my staff if asked, but it takes a lot to get to that sustained 85db point.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US">Now, 80db acoustics and the associated mechanical vibrations from all of that is certainly enough to mess with sensitive instruments, and we have had to relocate
certain tools or just accept our environmental noise translates to measurement noise. That’s more a matter of design and space limitations for us than anything else.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US">-N. Shane Patrick<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US">Manager, Lab Operations and Safety<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US">Washington Nanofabrication Facility<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US">Sent from my iPhone<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span lang="EN-US">On Mar 18, 2025, at 5:26</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span><span lang="EN-US">PM, Joseph Losby <<a href="mailto:joseph.losby@ucalgary.ca" target="_blank">joseph.losby@ucalgary.ca</a>>
wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"></span><span lang="EN-US">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Hi everyone,</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Have any of you taken acoustic noise measurements of your cleanroom facilities, or have a basis of design for acceptable
levels? </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">If you can share your facility ACH with noise level ( dB ) that would be great. Any other input will be much appreciated
as well. </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Cheers,</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Joe</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p style="margin:0cm;background:white"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#D6001C">Joseph Losby, PhD</span></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0cm;background:white"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;background:white">Manager, qLab Operations</span></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0cm;background:white"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"><a href="mailto:joseph.losby@ucalgary.ca" target="_blank">joseph.losby@ucalgary.ca</a></span></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0cm;background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:black"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:blue"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://urldefense.us/v3/__https:/urldefense.com/v3/__https:/*io.ucalgary.ca/quantum-city__;!!K-Hz7m0Vt54!iHLndPt-5Otg8wVsZQXZxk-3iaKCEbMpPvt5GPN-MChuQyulVrIaqzrRJ0q_RieM8khiBQeSZ9L7gXCkYXcid4wIyg$__;Lw!!G2kpM7uM-TzIFchu!waiizu6-NrHKSNYCAeodwwzn2tkvyywQPadBM_6aIAQ07Ac016jlYSSD1IujWBz1mMgfFKOzu6kWGk4sg1A$__;Kg!!IBzWLUs!UuCWcgz8b8ADAmO15iHYIny-rlHlpiEtURWPgGiYgZ3NrQRk1MGEYmyjyl9i2eHPhY6x0qrzC5Yr0Vtwc1Nd8iQ$" target="_blank" title="https://io.ucalgary.ca/quantum-city"><span style="text-decoration:none"><Outlook-3jbzrxwq.jpg></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:black">
</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0cm;background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:black"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US">_______________________________________________<br>
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<p class="MsoNormal">_______________________________________________<br>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><br clear="all">
<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
<span class="gmailsignatureprefix">-- </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Kyle Keenan<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Senior Manager - Laboratory Operations<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Quattrone Nanofabrication Facility<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">University of Pennsylvania<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">P: 215-898-7560<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">F: 215-573-4925<o:p></o:p></p>
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