MICROBIAL TESTING

Microbial testing is absolutely necessary for the people with health concerns or the ones who are more prone to infections. Examples Water based microbial threats are:

  •  E.coli
  • Salmonella
  • Clostridium
  •  Campylobacter
  •  Bacillus
  •  Listeria

Examples airborne based microbial threats are:

  • Staphylococcus aureus including MRSA
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Candida
  • Aspergillus species
  • Streptococcus pyogenes
  • Klebsiella pneumonia
  • Haemophilus influenza
  • Neisseria meningitides
  • Other bacteria, fungal molds & yeasts, and parasites

Microbiological analysis is the 1st line of defense against disease causing microbes, and it supports general public well –being. We use two methods of microbial testing:

1. Culturable- air sampling is one of the most common methods of volumetric air sampling.
The sampler procedure works by drawing measured volumes of air through an instrument that contains a petri dish (or dishes) with culture media. Spores that impact onto the plate are then allowed to incubate and grow, after which the colonies may be counted and identified.

2. Non-culturable spore trap samplers draw measured volumes of air through the sampling device for a specified length of time. The collection surface is a coated glass slide. Particles in the air (spores, dust, etc.) impact onto the sticky surface and are “trapped” for later analysis. Allergenco/Blewstone Press and Burkard Manufacturing both make spore trap sampling devices which accept standard glass slides which are greased by the user. All of these devices have excellent aerodynamic characteristics and are very effective in monitoring airborne particles and organisms.