Microbiology Analytical Service Guide

A&B ENVIRONMETAL SERVICES, INC

AIHA ACCREDITED & NELAP CERTIFIED LAB
10100 East Freeway Houston, TX 77029
Toll Free: 877.478.6060
(P) 713.453.6060 (F) 713.453.6091
ablabs.com
MICROBIOLOGY TESTING SERVICE GUIDE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Microbiology Terms and Conditions…………..…………………………………..BIO 3
A&B Labs Map of Certification States for Environmental Testing…………….BIO 8
Microbiology Testing Pricing
Alphabetical Order of Microbiology Testing……….….………..………..BIO 9
Terms and Abbreviations……………………………………………………….….BIO 15

MICROBIOLOGY TERMS & CONDITIONS
A&B LABS is an independent minority owned analytical laboratory established in
1988. We offer an extensive array of analytical capabilities in environmental, industrial
hygiene, microbiology and food safety areas. A&B Laboratories has an unmatched
commitment to quality data and personalized service. We utilize EPA, NIOSH, OSHA,
FDA/BAM and AOAC methodology
At A&B Laboratories, our mission is to deliver quality analytical services to our clients
while following ethical practices and providing stellar customer service with continual
improvement
ANALYTICAL REPORTS AND DATA DELIVERABLE PACKAGES
A&B Labs provides a Level II QA Report Deliverable Package as our standard reporting
package. This report includes a case narrative, spiked sample and spiked duplicate
results, surrogate recoveries, laboratory control, blank results, sample condition
checklist and sample chain of custody. PDF copies of reports are available and A&B
Labs reserves the right to send PDF summary report pages whenever possible. The
standard analysis turnaround time for Level II Reports is seven (7) Business days. Hard
copy reports will be mailed within 48 hours after the reports are sent via email to the
client. Original analytical reports, invoices and original chain of custodies will be sent to
the client as well.
ELECTRONIC DELIVERABLE PACKAGES (EDD’s)
A&B Labs can provide client specific EDD’s to meet specifications. Surcharges for such
packages may apply. Contact Sales and/or Project Management for more information.
On-line capabilities include:
ƒ Viewing of results via the web
ƒ Access data 24/7
ƒ Access complete PDF reports
ƒ Download results in Excel
Format
ƒ View summary of completed tests
ƒ Track the status of samples
ƒ Sample receipt notification
TURNAROUND TIME AND RUSH POLICY
The Standard Turnaround Time for A&B Labs is Seven (7) Business days. A&B Labs
counts the turnaround time as follows: Day Zero (0) is when our lab receives the project;
Day One (1) is counted as the next business day. Weekend and holidays are not
counted for Turnaround Time Calculations. Our normal working hours are Monday- Friday, 8am-5pm
– BIO 3 –
A&B LABS MICROBIOLOGY TERMS AND CONDITIONS 01.10.2008
counts the turnaround time as followsMICROBIOLOGY TERMS & CONDITIONS
To guarantee Rush Turnaround Time for your project, all rush requests must be
confirmed with the lab prior to shipment of samples. A&B Labs cannot and will not
guarantee rush request unless lab is notified in advance. The following surcharges will
apply for Rush Turn Around Times:
Rush Turn Around Time | Surcharge |
---|---|
Same Day | 200% |
1 Day | 100% |
2 Day | 75% |
3 Day | 50% |
5 Day | 25% |
Some parameters may not be able to be performed within a 24 or 48-hour period. The
Lab may limit the number of Rush samples accepted in one day. 1 Day Rush samples
will be reported by 5:00 PM (Central Time) the day after the samples are received at the
lab. 1 Day Rush samples may only be able to be analyzed once within the first 24-Hour
Rush. TAT may not be able to be met if dilutions are required, or if matrix interferences
are present. In this case, estimated values may be given to the client within 24 hours
after receipt of the sample with the surcharge still applicable.
INVOICING POLICY
A&B Labs will invoice the client with a copy of analytical reports and original chain of
Custody (COC). Invoices will reflect prices listed in the quotation setup by your sales
and/or project manager. Any parameters analyzed that are not included on the pricing
agreement will be billed at A&B Lab’s 2008 list price less 10%. The client is responsible
for supplying any required P.O. Numbers, Project Code Numbers, etc. Terms are Net
30 days. For International projects payments arrangement must be made in advance.
SAMPLE MEDIA AND SAMPLE PICKUP POLICY
A&B Labs will provide routine sample kits at no additional charge provided the
laboratory is given at least 24 hours notice, in some cases charges may be applied for
rush kits. These routine kits include the proper bottles, preservations, labels, chain of
custody forms and Federal Express return shipment forms with A&B Lab’s ID number.
Cassettes and other media may be available for an additional charge. A&B Labs may
also agree to provide sample pick-up free of charge within a 25-mile radius of our
facility, please contact the A&B Sales and/or Project Management Department to
determine if this service will be available for your site.
SHIPMENT OF OUTGOING MEDIA FROM A&B LABS TO THE CLIENT
A&B Labs will pay for the outgoing media shipment costs only if the kit order is received
early enough (typically 4 to 5 business days) to use the most cost efficient means of
shipping available (Examples: UPS Ground Service, FedEx Ground, FedEx Express 30 Day)
– BIO 4 –
A&B LABS MICROBIOLOGY TERMS AND CONDITIONS 01.10.2008
counts the turnaround time as followsMICROBIOLOGY TERMS & CONDITIONS
For International shipping, the client is responsible for shipping cost both outbound and
inbound. Any other outgoing expedited shipments (FedEx Priority and Standard
Overnight, 2 Day, etc.) will be invoiced to the client. Charges for expedited shipments
will depend on the weight of the shipment and the applicable zone charges.
Notes:
A&B Labs agrees to provide sample bottles for samples to be analyzed by A&B Labs
only. The client or the consultant must supply any sample bottles required for analysis
by any other lab, or to be used for field screening by the consultant or any other
purposes.
Sufficient time should be given to ship kits by routine ground delivery (4 to 5-Day
notice), thus avoiding a priority shipment charge. The client should contact A&B Labs
whenever a kit is being returned for Saturday delivery, as special Fed Ex procedures
are required to be completed on the Air bill. A&B Labs will not be held responsible for
breakage of sample bottles during the return shipment to the lab.
SAMPLING PROCEDURES
LIQUIDS/SOLIDS
Please properly pack and ice down return sample kits to keep temperature at the EPA
required 4°C for liquid or solid samples. The holding time liquid or solid samples is six
(6) hours and a minimum of 4 ounces is required. Water samples only require 100
milliliters of sample. All liquid or solid samples must be packed in a sterile glass or
plastic container. A sterile bag is also acceptable.
FOODS
All food should be kept at the original temperature as well as in the original storage
container. Food should be sent or brought to the laboratory as soon as possible. If the
food cannot be stored in the original container, then a sterile bag or container is
required.
RETURN SHIPMENT OF SAMPLE KITS FROM THE FIELD TO A&B LABS
Any shipments incoming from the site to the lab, whether by FedEx, UPS, or another
carrier, will be invoiced to the client. The client will be responsible for the proper
labeling of the kits. Please note that Federal Express requires special procedures for
shipments to be delivered to the lab on Saturday.
– BIO 5 –
A&B LABS MICROBIOLOGY TERMS AND CONDITIONS 01.10.2008
A&B Labs reserves the right to reject samples for any of the following reasons:
ƒ Chain of Custody documentation not included
ƒ Discrepancies between the Chain of Custody and sample labels
ƒ Incomplete sample containers for the analysis requested
ƒ Inappropriate preservation for the analysis requested
ƒ Sample received exceeding hold time for analysis requested
ƒ Inappropriate sample labeling (not using water resistant labels and indelible ink)
ƒ Samples with signs of damage or contamination
ƒ Samples containing high levels of potentially dangerous substances or vapors
that may cause health or safety problems during sample preparation or analysis
REPLACEMENT SAMPLE POLICY
If A&B Labs fails to meet regulatory hold times or has specific errors, which are due to
the sole fault of the laboratory, A&B Labs will either retest the sample or a replacement
sample at no additional charge. A&B Labs will not be held responsible for any re- sampling costs as a normal procedure. A&B Labs will also not be liable for any charges
due to delay by any courier used for shipment of the samples including (weather,
equipment failure, acts of God, etc.)
SAMPLE DISPOSAL POLICY
A&B Labs will agree to hold all sample remainders for thirty (30) days after the final
report is issued. Request to hold samples by A&B Labs beyond this date will be charged
at a rate of $3 per sample per day. A&B Labs reserves the right to charge $3 per
sample for sample disposal. Disposal of samples is controlled and specified by A&B
Labs’ SOP (Standard Operating Procedures).
ƒ Samples determined by analysis or other characteristics to be hazardous
materials will either be returned to the client or be disposed of as follows:
ƒ The samples shall be composite as waste material. The waste shall be stored in
drums, which meet or exceed both RCRA and DOT specifications.
ƒ All drums will prominently display the appropriate DOT and RCRA labels
identifying the general contents of the drum while on-site. The drum
identifications will meet the requirements of the contracted RCRA waste disposal
service prior to off-site shipments.
ƒ All disposals of both wastes shall be fully compliant with applicable Federal and
State regulations. A&B Labs uses EPA and Texas Natural Resources
Conservation Commission approved TSD facility for handling all hazardous waste.
– BIO 6 –
A&B LABS MICROBIOLOGY TERMS AND CONDITIONS 01.10.2008
GENERAL WARRANTY
A&B Labs warrants that all work will be preformed in accordance with sound laboratory
practice and accepted analytical procedures, but make no other warranty, expressed or
implied. A&B Labs is solely responsible for performance of this contract, and no
affiliated company, director, officer, employee, agent or subcontractor of A&B
Labs shall have any legal responsibility hereunder, whether in contract or tort, or
otherwise. Liability for injury or damage to persons or property arising out of this work
(other than for professional errors, omissions, or other professional negligence, which
are covered by the next sentence) shall be limited to the amount covered by the general
comprehensive insurance carried by A&B Labs. In the event of error, omission, or other
professional negligence or any breach of the above warranty, the sole and exclusive
responsibility of A&B Labs shall be to re-perform the deficient work at its own expense,
and A&B Labs shall have no other liability whatsoever. In no event shall A&B Labs be
liable, whether in contract or tort, or otherwise for any incidental consequential or
special damages including but not limited to, damages in any way connected with or
interpretation of information or analysis provided by A&B Labs or with action related to
such use or interpretation.
– BIO 7 –
A&B LABS MICROBIOLOGY TERMS AND CONDITIONS 01.10.2008

Microbiology Testing Service Guide
-
Matrix
Sample Size
Container
Preservation
Holding Time
Leach/Extr/Analy
Method
Actinomyces spp
-
w
100 ml p
4ºC
8hours
SSSA -
s
4 oz p
4ºC
N/A
SSSA
Aerobic Plate Count (APC) / TPC/Standard Plate Count
-
f
4 oz/ orig. cont.
as is
8hours
CMMEF 7.63
Aerobic Plate Count (cosmetics/products-bam)
-
Liq/Sol
4 oz p
N/A
N/A
BAM23H1
Aerobic Plate Count-N Certified APC / HPC / TPC
-
w
4 oz p
4ºC
6 hours
SM 9215B -
s/ww
4 oz p
4ºC
6 hours
SM 9215B
2 dilutions max, $20 for each additional dilution
Aerobic Plate Count (cosmetics/products-bam)
-
Liq/Sol
4 oz p
N/A
N/A
BAM23H1
Aerobic Plate Count-Petrifilm
-
f
4 oz/ orig. cont.
as is
ASAP
AOAC
Aeromonas
-
w/s
4 oz p
N/A
N/A
AOAC/CMMEF
Algal count
-
w/ww
4 oz p
4ºC
6 hours
SM
Anaerobic Plate Count
-
w/s
4 oz p
4ºC
6 hours
9215B mod.
Bacterial Count with Gram Stain
-
B/Sw/Wi/a
4 oz p
4ºC
6 hours
AOAC
Bacterial ID per Species
-
B/Sw/Wi/a
4 oz p
4ºC
N/A
Various
Camplylobacter-N
-
f
4 oz/ orig. cont.
as is
6 hours
CMMEF
Campylobacter-N
-
w
4 oz p
4ºC
6 hours
SM9260G
Clostridium perfringens
-
w/s
4 oz p
4ºC
6 hours
-
f
4 oz/ orig.cont.
as is
ASAP
AOAC/CMMEF
Denitrifying Bacteria
-
w
100 ml p
4ºC
8 hours
SSSA -
s
4 oz p
N/A
6 hours
SSSA
Denitrifying Bacteria Identification
-
w
100 ml p
4ºC
6 hours
SSSA -
s
4 oz p
N/A
6 hours
SSSA
Drinking Water Package (Total Coliform P/A and HPC)
-
w
100 ml p
4ºC
6 hours
SM 9223B
E. Coli
-
f
4 oz/ orig. cont.
as is
ASAP
CMMEF 35.24
E. Coli H7:0157 including H7-P/A
-
w
100 ml p
4ºC
ASAP
CMMEF 35.24 -
f
4 oz/ orig. cont.
as is
ASAP
AOAC 996.09
E. Coli-IDEXX-N Certified
-
w
100 ml p
4ºC
ASAP
CMMEF 35.24
E. Coli-MF-N
-
w
100 ml p
4ºC
6 hours
SM 9222G
E. Coli-N-Petrifilm
-
f
4 oz/ orig. cont.
as is
ASAP
CMMEF/AOAC
E.Coli-Chromogenic P/A Certified
-
w
100 ml p
4ºC
24 hour
SM 9223B
Enterococcus-N
-
s/ww
4 oz p
4ºC
6 hour
SM 9230C
Fecal Coliforms-MF-N Certified
-
w
100 ml p
4ºC
6 hour
SM 9222D
Fecal Coliforms-MTF-4 dil-N certified
-
w
100 ml p
4ºC
6 hour
SM 9221E
Fecal Coliforms-N
-
s/ww
4 oz p
4ºC
6 hour
SM 9222D
Fecal Streptococcus mF
-
w
100 ml p
4ºC
6 hour
SM 9215B
Fecal Streptococcus-N
-
s/ww
4 oz p
4ºC
6 hour
SM 9230C
Filth Test
-
various
4 oz p
4ºC
NA
AOAC 945.80
Flavobacterium spp.
-
w/s
4 oz p
N/A
ASAP
Various -
f
4 oz/ orig. cont.
as is
ASAP
Various
Hemolytic Bacterial Count
-
w
100 ml p
4ºC
6 hours
AOAC/CMMEF -
s
4 oz p
N/A
6 hours
AOAC/CMMEF
Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) / APC / TPC
-
w
100 ml p
4ºC
6 hours
SM 9215B -
s/ww
4 oz p
4ºC
6 hours
SM 9215B
2 dilutions max, $20 for each additional dilution
Iron Depositing Bacteria
-
s/w
4 oz p
4ºC
6 hours
SM 10200
Klebsiella spp.
-
f
4 oz/ orig. cont.
as is
ASAP
AOAC/CMMEF
Lactic acid bacteria (Petrifilm)
-
f
4 oz/ orig. cont.
as is
6 hours
AOAC
Legionella-air culture
-
a
air sampler
N/A (RT)
N/A
SM 9260J
Legionella-spp-P/A
-
w
100 ml p
4ºC
6 hours
SM 9260J
Listeria monocytogenes
-
f
4 oz/ orig. cont.
as is
ASAP
AOAC/CMMEF
Listeria spp-P/A
-
f
4 oz/ orig. cont.
as is
ASAP
CMMEF BAM/AOAC
Luminometer Test
-
w/s
4 oz p
4ºC
6 hours
Bioluminescence
Microscopic Exam
-
various
4 oz p
4ºC
N/A
SM 10200
Mold by Agar Plate ID 3spp.
-
w/s
4 oz p
N/A
6 hours
Viable
Mold by Culture Counts
-
B/Sw/Wi/A
4 oz p
N/A (RT)
6 hours
Viable
Mold by Culture ID-3 species
-
B/Sw/Wi/A
4 oz p
N/A (RT)
6 hours
Viable
Mold by Direct Exam
-
B/Sw/Wi/T
Air Cassette
N/A
N/A
Microscopy
Pseudomonas Aeroginosa
-
w
100 ml p
4ºC
6 hours
SSSA/SM -
s
4 oz p
N/A
6 hours
SSSA/SM
Salmonella Composite
-
s
4 oz p
N/A
N/A
AOAC/CMMEF -
f/w
as is/
4ºC
6 hours
AOAC/CMMEF
Salmonella Sero ID Only
-
s
4 oz p
N/A
6 hours
AOAC/CMMEF -
f/w
4 oz p
as is/ 4ºC
6 hours
AOAC/CMMEF
Salmonella spp.
-
w
100 ml p
N/A
6 hours
SM 9260B -
f
4 oz/ orig. cont.
as is
ASAP
CMMEF BAM/AOAC
Sewage Scre
Shigella spp
-
f
4 oz/ orig. cont.
as is
ASAP
CMMEF BAM/AOAC
Shigella spp
-
w
100 ml p
N/A
6 hours
SM 9260E/ AOAC
Staphylococcus Aeureus-N Petrifilm
-
f
4 oz/ orig. cont.
as is
ASAP
CMMEF/AOAC
Staphylococcus Aureus Coagulase
-
f/w/s
Sterile Bag
as is/ 4ºC
8 hours
AOAC/CMMEF
Staphylococcus spp.-N
-
w
100 ml p
4ºC
6 hours
SM 9213B
Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
-
w/s
4 oz p
4ºC
6 hour
SM 9240D
Total Coliform VRBA
-
w/f/s
4 oz p
4ºC
6 hours
AOAC/CMMEF
Total Coliforms Chromogenic P/A Certified
-
w
100 ml p
4ºC
24 hours
SM 9223B
Total Coliforms-IDEXX-N
-
w
100 ml p
4ºC
6 hours
SM9223B
Total Coliforms-MF-N certified
-
w
100 ml p
4ºC
6 hours
SM 9222B
Total Coliforms-N
-
s/ww
4 oz p
4ºC
6 hours
SM 9222D
Total Coliforms-Petrifilm
-
f
4 oz/ orig. cont.
as is
ASAP
CMMEF/AOAC
Total Free Nitrogen Fixers + Bradirhizobium
-
w
100 ml p
4ºC
6 hours
SSSA -
s
4 oz. P
N/A
6 hours
SSSA
Total Plate Count (TPC) / APC / HPC
-
w
100 ml p
4ºC
6 hours
SM 9215B -
s/ww
4 oz p
4ºC
48 hours
SM 9215B
2 dilutions max, $20 for each additional dilution
Total Plate Count-N
-
f
4 oz/ orig. cont.
as is
ASAP
CMMEF 7.63
Vibro spp-P/A
-
w
100 ml p
4ºC
6 hours
SM 9260H -
f
4 oz/ orig. cont.
as is
ASAP
CMMEF BAM
Yeast and Mold in Cosmetics
-
liquid/solid
4 oz p
N/A
N/A
Bam 23H2
Yeast and Mold-N
-
w/s/liq
100 ml p
4ºC
6 hours
SM 92610B
Yersinia spp
-
w/s
4 oz. P
N/A
6 hours
AOAC/CMMEF -
f
4 oz/ orig. cont.
as is
ASAP
AOAC/CMMEF
Terms and Abbreviations
a
AIR
AOAC
Association of Official Analytical Chemists
B
Bulk
BAM
Bacteriological Analytical Manual
C
air-o-cell Casette
CMMEF
Compendium of Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Foods
d
day(s)
E.coli
Escherichia coli
f
food
G
Glass
g
Gram
ID
Identification
ml
millileter
orig. cont
Original Container
oz
ounce
mod
Modified
L
Liter
M
Modified
N/A
Not Applicable
N
Numbers
p
Polyethylene/Plastic
P/A
Presence or Absence
p/g
Plastic/Glass
R/T
Room Temperature
s
Soil
SM
Standard Method
spp
Species
SSSA
Soil Science Society of America
Sw
Swab
sw
Solid Waste
T
Tape
VRBA
violet red bile agar
w
Water
ww
Waste Water