Biofilm Sampling
Instructions for Swab Sampling of Biofilm and Water Samples for Legionella Testing
(from Centers for Disease Control) Click Here
- Remove aerators from shower heads and faucets where you will be sampling.
- Turn on the water for a couple of seconds to moisten the pipe, and then turn it off. Insert the EMSL swab deep into the faucet/pipe. Try to get beyond the bend and swab around the inside surface firmly without breaking the swab stem. (If there is visible biofilm on the inside of the showerhead or faucet aerator when these are removed, they can also be swabbed.)
- Place the swab into the Pre-Filled EMSL sterile plastic tube to keep the swab tip moist during transport. Tighten the tube top to prevent leakage.
- Label the tube with a unique identifier. Record the type and location of the sample on a Sample Data Sheet, and place the tube into a cooler. Take bulk water samples: