Overview
Airborne bacteria and fungi naturally occur in the environment. Monitoring air quality in food production and storage areas helps prevent contamination, especially after equipment downtime or during dust-generating operations.
⚠ Important: This method does not quantify microorganisms by air volume and is not suitable for compressed air testing. For compressed air, consult regulatory bodies and inspectors for proper methods.
Sampling Procedure
1. Prepare for Sampling
✅ Wash and sanitize hands.
✅ Bring refrigerated agar plates to room temperature.
✅ Inspect plates for contamination or liquefaction. Discard if compromised and contact the lab for replacements.
2. Set Up Testing Area
✅ Clean and sanitize the surface for plate placement.
✅ Keep agar plate lids secure during transport.
3. Expose Plates to Air
✅ Open agar plates aseptically (media side up).
✅ Place lids upside-down on a sanitized surface.
✅ Avoid touching the inner petri dish or agar.
4. Air Exposure Period
✅ Leave plates open for 15 minutes (or per food safety protocol).
5. Seal & Store Samples
✅ Close plates aseptically without touching the agar.
✅ Secure with tape or parafilm.
✅ Resanitize surfaces where plates were placed.
✅ Refrigerate plates immediately after sampling.
🚫 Do NOT freeze—this will invalidate results.
6. Label & Ship Samples
✅ Label each plate clearly with a Sharpie to match the Chain of Custody (COC) form.
✅ Ship in an insulated cooler with ice packs to maintain proper temperature.
Agar Plate Types & Incubation
- Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA): Bacteria testing | Incubation: 2-3 days
- Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA): Yeast & mold testing | Incubation: 5-7 days
By following these steps, you ensure accurate, reliable air quality testing results.
For questions, contact QuanTEM Food Safety Laboratories.📞 We’re here to help!
