Clean hands with a hand sanitizer and at any point
where cross contamination is possible.
Connect the flexible tubing from the pump to the
male connector on the sampler.
Prior to sampling, turn on the vacuum pump and
calibrate it to 1 ACFM (28.3 liters per minute)
using a rotameter.
After calibration wipe all surfaces of the sampler
with isopropyl alcohol using a sterile gauze pad.
With the sampler sanitized and the inlet cone and
jet classification stage removed, place an agar plate (with the
appropriate media) with its lid removed on the base of the sampler so
the plate rests on the three raised metal pins. Immediately cover the
plate with the jet classification stage and the inlet cone. Secure the
device with the three springs clamps and visually check to be sure of
a good seal.
Turn on the vacuum pump for 2 to 5 minutes (contact
your laboratory if you are unsure of the best length of time to
utilize). Air is drawn through the cone and passes into the jet
classification stage where it is accelerated and passes through small
openings and is then impacted onto the agar plate. The exhaust air is
then carried through the outlet on the base and into the vacuum hose
attached to the pump.
After sampling, unhook the three clamps and remove
the agar plate. Quickly replace the agar plate cover and label the
back of the plate with the appropriate sample identification
information. Seal the plate in a zip lock bag and place it in an ice
chest with blue ice.
Before taking another sample be sure that your
hands and the sampling device have again been sanitized.
QUALITY CONTROL
The vacuum pump should be calibrated with a
rotameter prior to use and recalibrated when non-standard temperatures
or pressures are encountered. A blank unexposed plate should also be
analyzed with each sampling event as a negative control. Outdoor
samples should also be collected for comparisons to indoor samples. An
indoor control sample should be taken from non-complaint areas. Never
use sampling media that has expired, has visible cracks or has been
contaminated.
SAMPLE MEDIA
Any medium in a standard-size petri dish (15x100mm)
may be used with the Zefon Z-A6. The following media are typically
used for most bioaerosol investigations. Customized media may be
employed for specific applications.
Bacteria: Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA) and Tryptic
Soy Agar with 5% Sheep Blood, or Blood Agar (BAP) are commonly
accepted, broad-spectrum media for the isolation of bacteria including
thermophilic actinomycetes.
Fungi: Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), Malt Extract
Agar (MEA), and Dichloran Glycerol 18 agar (DG-18) are commonly
accepted broad-spectrum media for the isolation of fungi. Potato
dextrose Agar typically promotes sporulation of most xerophilic fungi,
and is favored for more rapid identification of isolates.
SAMPLE SUBMISSION
It is essential to insure sample integrity from
initial collection to final reporting. This includes the ability to
trace possession of the sample from the collection point to receipt at
the laboratory. All samples submitted to a laboratory should be
accompanied by a completed Chain of Custody form. This form contains
fields for reporting, sample identification, analyses requested, and
other important information.
All individual sample containers should be properly labeled with
sample identification on the bottom of the agar plate. Each sample
should also be sealed in a zip lock bag or other suitable container to
prevent any contamination during shipping. Samples should be stored
and shipped in a container such as a cooler that has blue ice to
preserve sample integrity and should be received by the laboratory
within 24 hours.
