U.S. Micro-Solutions, Inc. Environmental Laboratory
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Air Sampling - Culturable Culturable
sampling is used to determine airborne concentrations of mould and
bacteria that are living and can grow on appropriate agar media. The Anderson N6 stage bioaerosol sampler is generally considered the "gold standard" for collection of culturable air samples and is available
for rental from U.S. Micro-Solutions, Inc. In such sampling, air is
drawn at high velocity through a multi-holed orifice plate where
inertial forces cause the impaction of the airborne particles onto an agar surface. The selection of agar depends on the sampling
objectives and microbes under investigation. Once the indicated agar media is submitted for culture and the incubation temperature selected, the microbial colonies begin to grow. After approximately 5-6 days, they are quantified and identified to the genus
level for fungal and bacterial isolates and speciated when indicated.
The concentrations are expressed as colony forming units per cubic
meter (CFU/m3) of air.
A few guidelines when culturable air-sampling:
Samples
should be collected from complaint/noncomplaint sites or
affected/non-affected areas. Sampling procedures should include a
representative outdoor sample to provide a reference for determining
whether certain genera and species are being amplified in the indoor
environment.
Sampling durations of 2-10 minutes, 56.6-283.0 total liters, are commonly used.
Areas
with visible fungal growth may be sampled for a shorter time (3-5
minutes) and likewise, pharmacy rooms, clean rooms, and remediated
areas may be sampled for a longer duration.
A sufficient number of blanks or control samples should be submitted to establish the quality of the data collected.
Need a Chain of Custody or Would You Like to View a Sample Culturable Report?
U.S.
Micro-Solutions, Inc. culturable reports are in easy-to-read format
giving you all the information you need to plan an effective
remediation. Click here to view a sample Culturable Report.
Ship or deliver your samples along with your completed Chain of Custody/Laboratory Test Request Form to:
U.S. Micro-Solutions, Inc. 485C Willow Crossing Road Greensburg, PA 15601
Hours of Operation Monday through Friday - 8 am to 5 pm Saturday - 8 am to noon (Closed Sunday and all major holidays)
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