Environmental Monitoring Supplies – Air & Water

Environmental Monitoring Supplies – Air & Water

Environmental monitoring is an essential part of the manufacturing process, helping to maintain clean and safe work environments. To ensure the success of any monitoring program, the right supplies are needed. 

For air monitoring, convex air fallout plates are the best option. They are designed to be used for surface and worker monitoring. These plates should be bought directly from commercial media suppliers in order to minimize shipping and handling costs. When purchasing, always ask for a certificate of analysis (CofA) to guarantee quality.

Water sampling requires the use of specialized bottles. Depending on the test required, different bottles should be used, such as conductivity and TOC bottles, water bottles with and without thiosulfate, and endotoxin sample tubes. To ensure the integrity of the sample, the correct bottle should be used. For instance, amber bottles should be used for conductivity and TOC tests to limit light contact with the sample, while polystyrene tubes should be used for endotoxin tests to reduce background contamination from the container. 

To ensure the safety of the environment, and monitoring program should follow certain standards. Current Good Manufacturing Procedure (cGMP) Testing Sites for PDA TR13 are available in Salt Lake City, Itasca IL, Fairfield NJ, Ontario California, and the Mexican capital. In Denmark, the Espergaerde site is available, and in England, the Somercotes site is recommended.

For growth promotion testing, a broad spectrum screen is typically used in accordance with EP/USP chapters. This includes Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, Aspergillus brasiliensis, a pH check, and negative controls. Additional creatures and panels may be charged separately. 

Overall, environmental monitoring is an important step to take in any manufacturing process. By using the correct supplies and following relevant standards, companies can ensure the safety and cleanliness of their work environment.

Video 01: Environmental Monitoring