DIY Compressed Air Testing

We recently had a consultant tell us we could build a unit to test our compressed air and send the agar plates to our lab.  Has anyone done this?  If so, how did you build it?

We recently had a consultant tell us we could build a unit to test our compressed air and send the agar plates to our lab.  Has anyone done this?  If so, how did you build it?

Hi Jill,

I suggest you ask/request your consultant (a) the details of what is going to be measured and, hopefully,  (b) a construction diagram of the "black box" and a source for the materials involved.

Then post the results here for comments.

We test our compressed air using the environmental sponge swabs. We send these out, but if you have an in house lab, these sponges can be tested as usual.

Just be aware that you will most likely need a cfu/time scale as if you did air plates just sitting out. 

I use 3M sponge swabs to complete our air testing. I have attached the SOP if you need a reference or starting point.

I use 3M sponge swabs to complete our air testing. I have attached the SOP if you need a reference or starting point.

Attachment ?

it all depends on how many things you need to measure.

We use Trace Analytics.  They have kits you can easily connect to your compressed air system.  It's nice because they provide the SOP, the kit, and do the testing.  I think it's about $200 for the testing we do, but there is different testing.

I suggest calling them and discussing.  You do it once a year and $200 is nothing really and totally worth it for the ease and convenience.