When it comes to viable sampling, many IAQ professionals rely on multiple-hole inertial impaction devices such as the A6 Single Stage Microbial Sampler and the BioCassette™. But which one is right for you? Choosing the ideal bioaerosol sampler can be complex. You need to consider availability of culture media, associated costs, personnel training, analytical options, and ease-of-use among other factors.
The A6 Single Stage Microbial Sampler
The A6 Single Stage Microbial Sampler is popular because it is reliable, effective, and provides great results when sampling correctly. The A6 sampler is an anodized aluminum device held together by three spring clamps and sealed with two o-ring gaskets. The unit consists of three stages: 1) an inlet cone, 2) a jet classification stage, and 3) a base plate.
The inlet cone is the top portion of the impactor. Air passes through this stage first as it enters the impactor. The jet classification stage contains 400 precision drilled holes. When air is drawn through the sampler, it passes through these holes, directing any airborne particles toward the surface of the agar collection surface located in the base of the sampler.
IAQ professionals are urged to clean their hands with hand sanitizer or wear single-use disposal gloves and sanitize or change gloves at any point where cross-contamination may be possible. Sanitization also includes wiping out the inlet cone and jet classification stage which are located before the collection agar and could cause cross-contamination.
To perform viable air sampling with the A6, you also need the following equipment: a high volume pump capable of pulling 28 Lpm (e.g., rotary vane pump or EM-Lite II pump), rotameter, primary calibrator, tripod, flexible vinyl tubing, and sampling media.
The BioCassette™
The BioCassette™ is an excellent option for viable air sampling. The BioCassette™ is a single use, disposal device for taking viable samples of the air. Each BioCassette™ comes pre-assembled and pre-filled with sample media – Malt Extract Agar (MEA) for fungal sampling or Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA) for bacteria sampling.
The BioCassette™ does not require cleaning, has no risk of cross-contamination from sample to sample, and offers a high level of protection from external contamination and damage during shipment. It combines the impaction sampler and the collection media in one sampling device. The BioCassette™ is one of only a few samplers validated against the A6 for efficiency in viable sampling collection. You can be confident using the BioCassette™ to perform viable air sampling.
Accessories available for the BioCassette™ include: a tripod adapter and a calibrator.
Best Regards,
EMLab P&K
For more information about sampling equipment and supplies, contact EMLab P&K Products by phone at (888) 836-5227 or by email at products@emlabpk.com.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Particle Counters and Microbial Investigations
Laser particle counters can be used as tool with microbial investigations. Particle counters count all types of particles and can have significant value to microbial remediators, investigators, and consultants. Laser particle counters can be utilized by microbial investigators for a number of applications, including determining sampling times and for a first indication that microbial remediation projects may pass post-remediation evaluations.
Sampling times may not be the same in all sampling locations. A laser particle counter can assist in determining the length of sampling time that best represents each area when compared with other regions. If you are well experienced, you can simply rely on your field experience. However, if you have less field knowledge or find yourself in unfamiliar sampling conditions, you may find the relative numbers from a laser particle counter very helpful in determining how long to sample or even where to take the sample.
In microbial remediation projects, all parties may benefit when using the laser particle counter as an indicator that the aerosolized debris has been adequately purged prior to actually submitting post-remediation verification sampling for laboratory analysis. The microbial remediation supervisor should compare laser particle counts conducted inside the remediation containment to those conducted outside the remediation containment. This provides a real-time indicator that all aerosolized microbial and non-microbial debris were adequately purged before conducting the final cleaning regimen and third-party validation. Laser particle counters can also help determine the collection efficiency of HEPA filters, thus eliminating the possibility of disposing filters before their full use.
EMLab P&K Products offers a full line of handheld laser particle counters from major manufacturers like Airy Technology, Fluke and Lighthouse. Most laser handheld particle counters offer three or six channel counting modes and some units even measure temperature and humidity with data-logging. If you want help deciding which particle counter is right for you, contact EMLab P&K Products.
Best Regards,
EMLab P&K
To learn more about particle counters or other testing equipment, contact EMLab P&K Products by phone at (888) 836-5227 or by email at products@emlabpk.com.
Sampling times may not be the same in all sampling locations. A laser particle counter can assist in determining the length of sampling time that best represents each area when compared with other regions. If you are well experienced, you can simply rely on your field experience. However, if you have less field knowledge or find yourself in unfamiliar sampling conditions, you may find the relative numbers from a laser particle counter very helpful in determining how long to sample or even where to take the sample.
In microbial remediation projects, all parties may benefit when using the laser particle counter as an indicator that the aerosolized debris has been adequately purged prior to actually submitting post-remediation verification sampling for laboratory analysis. The microbial remediation supervisor should compare laser particle counts conducted inside the remediation containment to those conducted outside the remediation containment. This provides a real-time indicator that all aerosolized microbial and non-microbial debris were adequately purged before conducting the final cleaning regimen and third-party validation. Laser particle counters can also help determine the collection efficiency of HEPA filters, thus eliminating the possibility of disposing filters before their full use.
EMLab P&K Products offers a full line of handheld laser particle counters from major manufacturers like Airy Technology, Fluke and Lighthouse. Most laser handheld particle counters offer three or six channel counting modes and some units even measure temperature and humidity with data-logging. If you want help deciding which particle counter is right for you, contact EMLab P&K Products.
Best Regards,
EMLab P&K
To learn more about particle counters or other testing equipment, contact EMLab P&K Products by phone at (888) 836-5227 or by email at products@emlabpk.com.
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