Airborne bacteria sampling
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Airborne bacteria sampling |
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| Overview of sampling for airborne bacteria - this unit no longer available | |
| Why monitor for
airborne bacteria The presence of airborne bacteria in closed areas such as sterile rooms and operating rooms is still very much a problem, even in the latest modern hospitals and manufacturing facilities. These airborne bacteria are responsible for the contraction of many infections and diseases, especially respiratory ones. The Airborne Bacteria Sampler (ABS), or Slit Sampler, is used to determine the presence of bacteria and thereafter the effectiveness of bactericides. It is also used to check cross infection in hospital wards, to combat infections to wound and burns, and to eliminate those bacteria that attach food-manufacturing processes. |
 typical clean room in a hospital or clinic |
| Capturing the
bacteria samples The ABS was originally developed by the Medical Research Council in the 1930's to help combat the spread of airborne diseases and reports in The Journal of Hygiene and Journal of Hospital Infection provide suggestions on methods and standards in this very important field. Full details can be found in the document 'Suggested bacteriological standards for air in ultra clean operating rooms', (Whyte et al., 1983). The Casella ABS is the only instrument that can sample at up to 700 liters/min. This allows a sizeable sample to be collected in a short period of time. The general nature and minute size of the bacteria being monitored makes such a high volume sample essential, if any are to be found, but it also minimizes any intrusion the monitoring may make on the day to day operations of the user. Bacteria captured on the agar material in the Petri dish are analyzed to determine concentrations and type. |
 bacteria growing on agar solution in Petri dish |
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page last updated - Tuesday April 01, 2008 |
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