Loss of conductivity in operating room shoes

The effect of dirt encountered during normal use on the conductivity of operating room footwear has been studied. Booties, sneakers, and shoes having relatively larger conductive area remained conductive throughout the testing period. Shoes and clogs having relatively smaller conductive contact area were found to lose conductivity sooner, and, in more cases, than any other type of footwear tested. The size of the conductive contact area appears to correlate with the length of time that conductive footwear will remain within resistance specification during use.