What are the costs for tests to measure bacteria and virus levels on surfaces?

[LightningInAJar]

TL;DR

What are the costs for tests to measure bacteria and virus levels on surfaces?

I would like to test how well disinfectants work when cleaning surfaces, but am worried getting lab work done would be pricey. Any suggestions?

 

[pinball1970]

TL;DR Summary: What are the costs for tests to measure bacteria and virus levels on surfaces?

I would like to test how well disinfectants work when cleaning surfaces, but am worried getting lab work done would be pricey. Any suggestions?

Are you UK? These tests are pricey. ATTC. I can look into type of test and range of microorganisms for you.
The qualitative are obviously cheaper.

 

[pinball1970]

TL;DR Summary: What are the costs for tests to measure bacteria and virus levels on surfaces?

I would like to test how well disinfectants work when cleaning surfaces, but am worried getting lab work done would be pricey. Any suggestions?

I'm in work tomo so you DM me if you want.

 

[LightningInAJar]

Are you UK? These tests are pricey. ATTC. I can look into type of test and range of microorganisms for you.
The qualitative are obviously cheaper.

No, I'm in the U.S.

 

[pinball1970]

No, I'm in the U.S.

I'll DM you Tomo when I'm in the office.

 

[LightningInAJar]

I assume a sample always needs to be cultured for a day or two to get up to measurable levels?

 

[jim mcnamara]

Not sure about what you need. If you culture bacteria and virus you usually have to use lots of different culture media. This means you have to have a good idea about species you want to test for. For example, human poop has several hundred species of bacteria. (+-5500) One petri dish probably will get a small percentage only. Because most humans have only a small percentage of all the extant available gut microbes.

 

[LightningInAJar]

Not sure about what you need. If you culture bacteria and virus you usually have to use lots of different culture media. This means you have to have a good idea about species you want to test for. For example, human poop has several hundred species of bacteria. (+-5500) One petri dish probably will get a small percentage only. Because most humans have only a small percentage of all the extant available gut microbes.

Sinks, counters, and toilet seats mostly.

 

[jim mcnamara]

In the US there are germicide cleaning kits you can buy - that are meant for public buildings like restaurants. Use the germicide/fungicide/cleanser first -- then test. All of what you need is available in a kit .

 

[DaveC426913]

Coinky-dink? At this very moment I am trying to find a Salmonella test kit. I found them at online pharma labs but not at Amazon. (Canada)

 

[jim mcnamara]

I did not know "country" for this discussion. Bear that in mind.

Restaurant supply outlets (not a chain) just a general term -- has the kits you want. The county (or whatever government entity) you are in usually influences the content of test kits.

 

[LightningInAJar]

In the US there are germicide cleaning kits you can buy - that are meant for public buildings like restaurants. Use the germicide/fungicide/cleanser first -- then test. All of what you need is available in a kit .

The kit includes antiseptics and a test to determine what survived?

 

[jim mcnamara]

What is in the kit may (my opinion) be a political football. Example:
Clorox 5% for general cleanup, and then food prep surfaces may require stronger concentrations.
The kind of test(s) environments vary - some include everything, others mean you have to cruise the aisles. Some might require you to send a sample to a lab if it is a public building. First aid stations had that requirement at a small clinic where I worked long ago. This kind of mandated testing is often provided ad libitum and at no cost.

Go to a restaurant supply place and check it out. The reason I'm being vague is that fact that you really need to talk with your local public health worker bees or staff at the supply place. Not me.

But you have the idea.

 

[Astronuc]

TL;DR Summary: What are the costs for tests to measure bacteria and virus levels on surfaces?

I would like to test how well disinfectants work when cleaning surfaces, but am worried getting lab work done would be pricey. Any suggestions?

In the US, one should be able to obtain information on testing from State and or local (municipal or county) health departments. They should be able to inform one about testing and certified laboratories.

 

[LightningInAJar]

Sounds good. Thanks all.

 

[Cepacia]

It's not within your capability to execute relevant tests. You'll always find microbes - and pathogens like Salmonella would be so rare in normal households, you'd be very very unlikely get a detect much less something of statistical significance.

 

[Laroxe]

The problem with this is to assess the effectiveness you would have to be specific about the disinfectant, in what concentration, the type of surface, the presence of organic contaminants, the length of time the organisms are exposed to the chemical, the temperature and the organisms being targeted. A disinfectant in a liquid at low concentrations will generally become colonised with something and the presence of organic matter significantly interferes with a lot of disinfectants. In clinical settings disinfectants that contain bleach seem to have become popular because of their wide range of activity. Its actually quite difficult to use chemicals to sterilize a surface without the risk of damage or risk of toxicity, once life gets going it is nothing if not persistent. There are also organisms that simply can't be cultured, I think the advice about talking to people involved with public health is certainly a good idea.
It's worth remembering that people have been doing these sorts of tests for a long time and there is already a vast amount of research available, can't that be used.?