Bacteria testing can be performed in air, soil, and water. Bacteria air testing is used to assess the quality of indoor and outdoor air by detecting the presence and concentration of bacteria. This type of testing is crucial for environments where air quality is a significant health concern, such as residences, hospitals, laboratories, food processing plants, and office buildings. The goal is to ensure that the air meets health and safety standards and to prevent the spread of diseases. Testing may be performed to determine whether there is an association between respiratory symptoms and the presence of elevated levels of airborne bacteria.
Most bacteria can be classified as being either Gram-positive or Gram-negative. Gram-positive bacteria are essential to human health and the earth’s ecology. They are generally not associated with diseases in humans. They are commonly found on the surfaces of human skin, hair, and scalps. These bacteria become airborne when surfaces are disturbed. Gram-negative bacteria are generally more harmful than Gram-positive bacteria. They are associated with diseases in humans.
Call Angstrom Testing Services today to discuss air quality testing for bacteria at 516-724-4574
Bacteria Air Testing - Air Sample Collection
Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria air testing is performed using tryptic soy agar plates and single-stage impactors. Ideally, no Gram-negative bacteria should be present in the air. If any Gram-negative bacteria are found, or if indoor levels of gram-positive bacteria substantially exceed outdoor levels, then species-level identification should be conducted. A determination can then be made as to whether the Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacteria detected in the indoor air represent a significant health risk.
Species-level identification is also conducted using agar plates and impactors. After the identity of the bacteria in the indoor air is determined, health care professionals can then use this information to prescribe the best antibiotics to help fight bacterial infections.
Bacteria Surface Testing
Some level of surface bacteria exists on all surfaces. The normal background level depends on the type of surface. Normal levels of surface bacteria on walls, ceilings, and HVAC ductwork are lower than levels on floors. And as can be expected, surface levels of bacteria on wood and vinyl tile floors are lower than levels in carpets, where bacteria and mold spores accumulate in the carpet pile and weave over time. Availability: Bacteria surface testing NYC; Bacterial surface testing Long Island
Surface Sample Collection
Surface samples are collected by wiping suspect surfaces with sterile swabs. The swab samples are streaked onto agar plates and the plates are incubated for several days. The swabs are analyzed using culture methods and high-power microscopes. The analyses are performed by highly trained microscopists and bacteriologists. Levels of bacteria are measured in colony-forming units per square inch of surface area swabbed.
Dust samples can be collected from carpets using micro vac cassettes and small handheld vacuum pumps. The dust in the cassettes is transferred into a nutrient broth. The broth is then streaked onto agar plates, and the plates are incubated for 10 days and read by a bacteriologist.
Bacteria Clearance Testing
After surfaces have been disinfected, clearance testing can be performed. This testing can determine whether the disinfection work was adequately and successfully performed. Successful disinfection should result in surface bacteria levels in the non-detect range.
