Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Environmental Monitoring

1.0 Purpose: The purpose of this SOP is to provide guidelines for performing environmental monitoring in a laboratory setting.

2.0 Scope: This SOP applies to all personnel involved in performing environmental monitoring in the laboratory.

3.0 Responsibilities: The laboratory personnel responsible for performing environmental monitoring shall:

4.0 Materials and Equipment:

5.0 Procedure:

5.1 Preparation of Culture Media:

5.2 Surface Sampling:

Sterilize the workbench or laminar flow hood before use.
Open a sterile swab package aseptically and moisten the swab with sterile saline.
Swab a defined area on the surface of interest (e.g. workbench, walls, equipment, etc.).
Transfer the swab to a sterile sampling bag.
Label the bag with the date, time, location, and sample identification number.
Transport the bag to the laboratory using a suitable container to avoid contamination.
Prepare culture media and perform microbial identification and enumeration on the swab sample using standard procedures.

5.3 Air Sampling:

Sterilize the air sampling equipment before use.
Set the sampling rate according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Position the sampler in the sampling area and allow it to operate for the appropriate time.
Turn off the sampler and remove the sampling media.
Label the media with the date, time, location, and sample identification number.
Transport the media to the laboratory using a suitable container to avoid contamination.
Prepare culture media and perform microbial identification and enumeration on the air sample using standard procedures.

5.4 Water Sampling:

Sterilize the water sampling equipment before use.
Collect water samples using sterile techniques.
Label the container with the date, time, location, and sample identification number.
Transport the container to the laboratory using a suitable container to avoid contamination.
Prepare culture media and perform microbial identification and enumeration on the water sample using standard procedures.

6.0 Documentation:

Record all procedures and results in a logbook or other suitable documentation system.
Include the date, time, location, and the results of the environmental monitoring.

7.0 Safety Precautions:

Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling samples or culture media.
Use caution when handling sharps such as syringes and needles.