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Bacterial air testing can answer either a count-based question or a target-organism question.
PBR Laboratories lists bacterial enumeration, E. coli (Air), E. coli presence/absence, total coliform presence/absence and fecal coliform presence/absence within its air-testing services. Ask PBR which analysis fits your investigation and collection method. PBR serves projects across Canada, prioritizing Alberta and Western Canada; confirm sample transport and, where applicable, rental collection or delivery arrangements for your project.
The service names below describe the current inventory. They are not interchangeable methods or an automatic bundled panel.
Enumeration provides a count under the selected method. Presence/absence reports whether a specified target was detected in the tested sample. A presence/absence result is not a numerical microbial count. The item named E. coli (Air) should be ordered only after PBR confirms its method and reporting format.
For a detailed analysis of these analytical formats, read our technical resource on Air Enumeration versus Presence/Absence Testing.
QA teams and professionals managing a defined air investigation may need bacterial testing when the result supports a specific monitoring, process or investigation question. Testing should be selected around the facility activity and the decision being made, rather than ordering every organism without a reason.
Describe the target organism, the facility context, the question being investigated and the proposed sample collection method. The target and collection method must be suitable for one another. Do not assume a test performed on a collected air sample answers the same question as a water, product or surface sample.
If evaluating sample matrix types, compare scopes in our guide on Air Microbiology Testing versus Surface Swab Testing.
A count describes what was recovered under the method used. Detection of a selected organism warrants review within the project context, but it does not by itself locate the source or establish whether an entire area is affected. A non-detection means the target was not detected under the test conditions; it does not mean every location or time period is free of that organism.
Learn more about reading certificates and qualifiers in How to Understand Air Microbiology Test Results.
Review the sample identity, collection record, handling and the specification or monitoring objective. Compare like-for-like historical results where available. The responsible project team can decide whether inspection, process review or further sampling is appropriate; PBR can discuss the available analytical follow-up.
See our step-by-step review process in What to Do After an Unexpected Air Microbiology Result.
Ask PBR to confirm collection media, equipment compatibility, handling and submission requirements before sampling. If results are intended for a specified program or acceptance criterion, supply that requirement when requesting the quote. Do not infer test-specific accreditation from a general laboratory badge.
Review submission documentation in Planning Air Microbiology Sample Collection and Submission. If you require sampling hardware, check Air Sampler Rental for Canadian Testing Projects.
Provide your organism of interest, collection method, sample count and decision deadline. Contact PBR Laboratories in Edmonton to discuss bacterial air analysis and sample requirements.
No. Enumeration concerns a count; identification concerns what an organism is. Your current service reference confirms enumeration and specified organism tests, but does not establish unrestricted bacterial identification services.
No. Presence/absence reports detection under the test conditions. Confirm the result format of the separate E. coli (Air) service with PBR.
No. Target selection should follow the investigation objective, collection method and facility context.
No. Different sample types describe different parts of the environment or process.
PBR Laboratories provides bacterial air enumeration and selected organism analysis for manufacturing, consulting, and building monitoring across Canada.