U.S. Micro-Solutions, Inc. Environmental Laboratory
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Bulk Sampling Protocols
Bulk sampling indicates whether environmental materials are
contaminated beyond background levels. Bulk
sampling is conducted on microbial contaminated materials to identify mould
and/or bacteria genera as well as their relative abundance.
Bulk samples are cut
or removed from a source and placed in a clean
container. The lab will select a portion of the sample that is
the least likely to have been handled and most likely to recover
representative microbes. The selected sample portion is weighed and
dispersed in a sterile liquid, diluted as necessary and inoculated on
appropriate agar media. The selection of agar and the incubation temperature depends upon the microbe under investigation. Once the media is selected and the
incubation temperature determined, the fungal and bacterial colonies
are allowed to grow. As colonies mature, they are quantified and
identified to the genus level and speciated when possible. The
concentrations are expressed in terms of colony forming units per gram
of material (CFU/g).
A few guidelines when bulk sampling:
As a rule of thumb, aseptic techniques should be strictly adhered.
Bulk samples should be delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible and protected from temperature extremes during transport.
Bulk samples should include a representative cross section of the area sampled.
Avoid sending extremely large bulks (ceiling tile, wall board, filters). Select the most representative area of the sample and send that portion to the laboratory.
Avoid sending extremely small samples which may not be culturable. If there is not enough sample provided, only a direct microscopic examination will be performed.
Please ensure there is a visible amount of sample in the cassette when collecting carpet samples. If there is not adequate sample in the cassette, sample an additional area.
Record the sample area (if applicable) in the “Total Sample Volume” box on the Chain of Custody/Laboratory Test Request Form. (Example: 1ft².) If there is no specific sample area, please mark NA. Results are calculated using the areas provided.
Please indicate the analysis requested on the Chain of Custody/Laboratory Test Request Form. Sewage screen, fungal culture, bacterial culture, and direct microscopic examinations for hyphal fragments/conidia can be performed. Mark all that apply. Please call the laboratory if you have any questions.
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