U.S. Micro-Solutions, Inc. Environmental Laboratory
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Tips for Sending BioaerosolSamples to the Laboratory
The sample number should be placed on the lid of the agar plate. Avoid using masking tape or numbering on the bottom of the plate.
Tape the outside of the agar plates using electrical tape to secure the lid during shipment. Avoid duct tape and scotch tape - these are difficult to remove from the agar plates.
Avoid freezing and extreme heat exposure prior to and after sampling. This may alter the physical properties of the agar and make microbial analysis difficult, if not impossible to perform.
Package samples with care - make sure that there is adequate padding included in the box to protect the plates from aggressive handling during shipment. Failure to properly protect the plates may result in damage in route to the laboratory.
Schedule the delivery of plates to the lab in a timely fashion. Ideally, plates should be received in the laboratory within 24 hours after sampling. Failure to receive plates in a timely fashion may lead to overgrowth of fungi and/or bacteria. Also, the environmental conditions during shipping remain uncontrollable.
Remember to list the sample volume on the Chain of Custody/Laboratory Test Request Form. For example, 2 minutes at 28.3 liters per minute (56.6L/min). Also, remember not to list a sample volume for a blank sample that you had never actually sampled. Your results are reported according to the sample volume that was used.
If sampling for fungi, use a media that is for fungus (IMA, PDA, MEA, etc.). If sampling for bacteria, use a media that is for bacteria (TSA, SBA, etc.). Bacterial analysis cannot be done from fungal media. Fungal analysis cannot be done from bacterial media. If you are not sure which media to use, please call the laboratory at (724) 853-4047 for further assistance.
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