The Microbial Investigation: Fourth in a Six-Part Series
What is Contamination?

photo-9icTendichis month's article will focus on determining whether microbial contamination, or fungal growth, is present based on the laboratory results of various sampling methodologies as discussed in previous articles in this series.

The issue of whether microbial contamination is present is particularly problematic because no Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) or Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) have been established for exposure to microbiological agents. Whether these values will ever be determined is questionable because, according to the American College of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) guidelines, "the culturable/countable bioaerosols do not comprise a …