Our indoor air quality testing services include:

• Mold evaluation (spore trap, bulk, tape-lift, swab, dust)
• Culturable fungi
• Environmental bacteria
• Legionella pneumophila
• House dust allergens
• House dust particle identification
• Microbial characterization in special environments.
• Microbiology/mycology research, consultation, quality control, and legal support

Water Quality and Waterborne Pathogen

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and Clean Water Acts (CWA) address microbial contamination of the nation’s waters. The CWA provides protection of surface water for drinking, recreational usage, and aquatic food source usage. The SDWA regulates contamination of finished drinking water and protection of water sources.

Water quality testing is performed in strict accordance with the U.S. EPA or California Water Board recommendations. Our laboratory offers the following analytical water tests:

• Indicator bacteria: total coliforms & E. coli
• Heterotrophic plate count (HPC)
• TDS

Waterborne Pathogens are disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and protozoans transmitted to people through untreated or inadequately treated water. Consumption of contaminated water can cause severe, sometimes lethal medical conditions, particularly in those with compromised immunity.

Waterborne pathogens we test for include:

• Bacteria: E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter
• Listeria sp.
• Campylobacter
• Bacillus cereus
• Staphylococcus
• Fecal coliforms
• Enterobacteriaceae
• Clostridium perfringens
• Pseudomonas

AEMTEK is committed to providing the highest quality results in a timely manner. All analyses are performed following the procedures outlined in Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater in accordance with the strictest quality assurance programs to ensure scientifically sound and legally defensible data. Reports are generated electronically in a user-friendly format and language. Members of our team of professionals are always ready to answer any of your questions or address your concerns.

Sewage Contamination Testing

Sewage or fecal contamination of indoor environments poses a serious health risk, as feces are reservoirs for enteric pathogens. These pathogens are normally transmitted by the fecal-oral route and infect the gastrointestinal tract. However, when sewage contamination occurs, these pathogens, along with other intestinal organisms, may also be transmitted through air, water, and food.

AEMTEK offers a complete line of microbial laboratory testing. Testing for sewage screen and/or sewage contamination in indoor environments is performed following EPA or California Water Board recommendations for water testing. Samples from indoor environments such as water, air, surface (swab), or bulk (carpets, wood, furniture, etc.) can be tested for the indicator bacteria (see Aemtek Micro Examiner, April 2005) to assess possible sewage contamination. Indicator tests include:

• Total coliforms
• E. coli
• Enterococci
• Microbial contamination source tracking

The presence or absence of the indicator bacteria will aid the investigator in confirming or “rejecting” the presence of fecal contamination.

Environmental Monitoring in Healthcare Facilities and Cleanrooms

AEMTEK offers laboratory testing for environmental monitoring of hospitals, clinics, pharmacy primary control areas, and other healthcare facilities. Environmental monitoring in healthcare facilities, especially during construction and reconstruction, is strongly enforced by CLIA (Clinical Laboratories Improvement Act) and JCAHO (Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations). Monitoring the presence of Aspergillus species and other fungi in air and on surfaces may be performed by conventional spore traps, surface sampling, or the more sophisticated PCR methods. PCR is especially recommended for hospitals and clinics where the presence of these fungi may pose a high risk of infection. PCR detection and quantification of fungi offers AEMTEK’s clients the high sensitivity and fast turnaround times that are essential in this field.

A representative array of services AEMTEK can provide for healthcare facilities includes:

• Active air sampling and analysis
• Surface sampling and analysis
• Direct microscopic examination and identification of mold spores
• Identification and enumeration of fungi and bacteria
• PCR analysis for identification and quantification of nosocomial species of bacteria, fungi (mold), and viruses
• Legionella species detection using culture or QPCR method (or broth)