Ask an Expert with Dr. Doug Marshall - ATP Swabs and Environmental Monitoring
Overview
Eurofins Microbiology Laboratories, Inc. is made up of a network of microbiology labs located all throughout the US to support microbiological testing needs. Each lab has dedicated customer support so you get answers fast. Our Ask an Expert Series showcases our scientists from around the country and answers questions customers frequently ask. Videos are published weekly on all of social media platforms.
Ask an Expert Series - Topic #1
When monitoring my facility, can I use ATP swabs instead of an enrichment, PCR, or immunoassay based methods?
"ATP swabs are potentially good for determining whether a surface has been adequately cleaned (free of organic soils). ATP may not correlate well with whether the surface is adequately sanitized (free of microbes including pathogens). To assess whether a surface is free of microbes, swabbing for quantitative indicators (such as aerobic plate count or Enterobacteriaceae) or pathogens (like Salmonella or Listeria) is recommended." - Dr. Doug Marshall, Chief Scientific Officer of Eurofins Food Division
