Environmental Monitoring Services

Monitoring manufacturing environments is performed in the food, therapeutic goods, cosmetic and toiletry and household products industries and is a vital part of a comprehensive quality assurance program. Many incidents of product contamination and recall can be traced to the failure of having a sound environmental monitoring (EM) program. The cost of such disasters exceed decades of expenditure on a well considered and delivered EM program. It is unfortunate that EM programs seem to remain underrated or unrecognised as a front-line defence against product quality failure. As your partner in quality, Silliker can help you choose the right solutions. With our accredited labs and experienced experts on your side, you can rest assured your product will always meet and exceed your consumers’ expectations

Environmental monitoring compromises:

• Surface monitoring
• Aerial monitoring
• Water monitoring ( click here for water testing )

Surface Monitoring

Surface monitoring determines the microbial population on surfaces within the manufacturing area. Surfaces usually sampled are facility (floors, drains and walls), equipment and product contact surfaces. The monitored program is dependent on the industry and the products being manufactured. Techniques used are swabs, sponging and agar contact.

Aerial Monitoring

Aerial monitoring is usually confined to cleanrooms and other specialized work spaces. Active air sampling provides qualitative results that can be used for comparisons to indicate changes in the environment while settle plates and other passive techniques are useful in monitoring the microbial population that might settle on a surface or product in a given time.

Testing methods can either be qualitative or quantitative. Sampling efficacy is dependent on reliable collection and handling of samples. Poor sampling techniques can lead to false low or negative results. It is therefore important that sufficient training is provided for the monitoring program to be effective.

Our services include:

• Testing and sampling:
• Aerial monitoring:
• Active air sampling – modern industry-accepted samplers
• Passive sampling – settle plates and other devices
• Cleanroom services:
• Audits
• Baseline studies
• Cleaning validation
• Monitoring
• Microbiological and chemical analyses of samples
• On–site sampling – experienced scientists/technicians can collect your samples or conduct environmental surveys of your facility
• Pathogen monitoring – Listeria and others
• Surface monitoring – swabs, contact agar, sponges
• Water testing – potable and processed water testing and cooling towers
• Consultancy:
• Assistance in developing customized Environmental Monitoring Programs
• Audits to codes of GMP
• Investigation of out of specification results
• Listeria and other pathogen control and monitoring programs
• Staff training – targeted and specialized
• Troubleshooting

Contact Us to learn more about our Environmental Monitoring services.