GAP EnviroMicrobial Services (GAP) offers a variety of analytical services tailored for microbial indoor air quality assessments. Our clients range from professional environmental consultants, industrial hygienists, realtors, building inspectors, and health units to concerned individuals seeking fungal analysis and consultation. Microbial indoor air quality is assessed using various matrices including bioaerosol, swab, bulk, liquid, and tape lift samples.

GAP has the follow bioaerosol sampling equipment for client rental:

• Reuter Centrifugal Air Sampler (RCS)
• Zefon Bio Pump
• Anderson Sampler
• Hygrometer

The RCS air sampler employs agar impaction as the collection principle via centrifugal force. Bioaerosols are drawn toward impeller blades and the applied centrifugal force impacts the microbes onto the agar test strip. After the test strips are incubated under ideal conditions, identification and enumeration analysis are performed. The results are expressed as colony forming units (CFU) per unit volume of air sampled.

The Anderson six stage impactor sampler also employs the agar impaction principle. This sampler contains six stages, each with successively decreasing pore diameter. Thus, this sampler measures the microbial concentrations in specific size ranges. 

The Zefon Bio Pump collects samples of both viable and nonviable airborne spores by depositing airborne particles onto a microscope slide. The advantage of using this device is that the degree of contamination can be determined in a rapid manner, as no culturing is necessary. These tests provide a snapshot of air quality at the exact time of sampling and the results are expressed in spores per volume of air sampled.

If a more comprehensive site assessment is required, GAP recommends the following local industrial hygienists and building inspectors:

• IHEAS – Ron Hussain – 519-657-5105
• Roop Chanderdat & Associates – Roop Chanderdat – 519-471-6770
• Advance Look Building Inspections & Environmental Testing – Hugh Dwyer – 519-271-2991