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