The Importance of Air Quality Testing in a Laboratory

Why Air Quality Testing Is Essential in a Laboratory

There can be many different contaminants that can affect the quality of cannabis products. Often product batches will need to be tested for microorganisms and other pathogens for compliance by regulatory bodies. Most analytical labs use ISO 17025 to maintain competency and standards. Products have the potential for being contaminated by foodborne pathogens, human pathogens, and even contaminants from the air.

It’s essential that an analytical lab do air quality testing on a regular basis. Preventing contamination when testing cannabis and food supplements is important, as the most accurate results need to be provided to their customers before releasing a product batch to the consumer market.

Air Testing Methods

The air in a facility may have its ambient air tested or a specific region of the lab tested by air compression. While ambient air can be tested in the main part of the laboratory, usually it’s recommended that compressed air tests be done in specific locations.
If it’s a testing laboratory, the workspace may be also be tested.

If it’s inside a plant or facility, these regions may be around ingredients mixing, cutting stations, drying, packaging, and transportation.

Air quality tests should be done on a regular basis. The first test will also be the baseline for providing reference data for future tests. Any future counts about this baseline will trigger an investigation, and further corrective actions. Preventative controls may be put in place.

When air is sampled from food processing, pharmaceutical, or laboratory environments, then it also ensures that cleaning, ventilation and air filtration systems and other SOPs are effectively working.

How Is Air Quality Testing Done?

Testing is simple. The most common method is to set exposure plates in place. This process is also known as passive monitoring and ultimately detected the growth of an organism, if present. Alternatively, some labs may use centrifugal air sampling devices, also known as active monitoring, to test for airborne contaminants and detect actual DNA.

Can Specific Populations Be Discerned?

While the yeast and mold aerobic count is the main concern, also known as APC, there are thousands of different species. While some yeasts and molds can be more harmful to food, generally most is not harmful in smaller quantities. No one type can be tested for. The tests are also done over a period of time, rather than simply using the first test for corrective action. If future tests indicate that the overall yeast or mold population is substantially higher, then corrective actions will need to be done for the facility.

What Airborne Contaminants Are of Concern?

Air is generally tested for yeasts and molds, as these can cause direct spoilage of food-related products. While there are acceptable levels, when they exceed a certain population, they become a hygienic concern and corrective actions must be put in place.

Testing on a regular basis is going to cost the facility or lab more than testing infrequently, however, it can avoid costly mistakes. More frequent testing can give a good overall view of the air quality of a laboratory, facility, or plant.