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Hand held microbial air samplers are lightweight reliable

Hand held microbial air samplers are portable and lightweight but also extremely reliable.

They use readily available contact plates, with no need for expensive, specialist consumables. Models that use Petri dishes are also available.

Originally developed in Italy over thirty years ago, the current models are sold worldwide. Their portability makes them ideal for a wide range of applications where reliable environmental monitoring is required across many different areas.

These active air samplers are typically used for air monitoring in controlled environments such as pharmaceutical cleanrooms, isolators, operating theatres and food manufacturing.

 

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cherwell range of hand-held microbial air samplers

Select the calibre you need: contact us for advice and to place your order

SAS Super 100

Non-sterile production areas

This model is ideal for use in lower grade cleanrooms and food manufacturing, where smaller sample size is desirable. 

DATASHEET

SAS Super 180

Specialist environmental monitoring

For use in higher grade cleanrooms, isolators, LAF cabinets and operating theatres. 180 litres per minute sampled - completing cubic metre in under 6 minutes.

DATASHEET

SAS Super Duo 360

Dual media microbial monitoring

The SAS Duo 360 has two sampling heads that sample 180 litres per minute each. Capable of collecting bacterial and fungal samples simultaneously or sequentially. 

DATASHEET

CHERWELL SUPPLIES PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO THE PHARMACEUTICAL AND RELATED INDUSTRIES

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What our customers say

Quality Manager - BioDivide

BioDivide Ltd

"Great customer service and always keeping our company informed of changes particularly concerning regulatory matters that could impact us. Helpful, friendly, efficient."

Julie Willis, Senior Assistant Technical Officer

NHS Blood and Transplant

"I am always pleased with the efficiency and quick turnaround time when I send our Air Samplers off to Cherwell for their service."

Thomas Mullen, Quality Operations Specialist (QA)

MedPharm Ltd

"I met with representatives from Cherwell at the Cleanroom Technology Conference recently, and found them to be not only approachable and friendly, but also highly knowledgeable and able to help with a query I had on microbial monitoring of compressed air."

Manager

Industrial Pharmaceutical Company

"Service from Cherwell is outstanding. The equipment is extremely reliable. That's what we ask for."

Julie Bowden, QA Releasing Officer

Pharmacy Manufacturing Unit, Portsmouth

"Friendly, helpful, efficient. Always get a prompt reply to any query. Always feel like a valued customer. Definitely feel like the company cares about it's customers and respects the industry we work in."

Microbiology Technician

Industrial Pharmaceutical Company

"The service from Cherwell is excellent, they will always try to provide help where possible."

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Asked Questions

How do I send in my air sampler for a service/recalibration?

We have created a check list of things to do when sending your air samplers in for a service.

Get Check List

How much air should we sample?

Typical requirements suggest 1,000 litres per air sample in high risk areas, such as: grade A filling lines, grade B clean rooms, operating theatres etc. As the criticality of the area reduces, the sample size can be reduced. The aim is to achieve a representative sample; so where higher counts would be expected, a smaller sample produces a more realistic number of cfu to count.

Should I use contact plates or Petri dishes for environmental air monitoring?

SAS samplers were originally designed for Contact plates, however, a Petri dish option has been available for a number of years. It is really a personal choice, although this should be decided at time of purchase, as the sampler will be specifically configured for the plate type chosen. There are advantages for each version and we would be happy to discuss your specific needs.

Can I autoclave my SAS sampler?

No, do not put your SAS sampler in a steam autoclave. The only part that can be autoclaved is the drilled head. The unit can be wiped with alcohol wipes to decontaminate it. The only other exception is the SAS Pinocchio, parts of which can be autoclaved.

How frequently should my SAS air sampler be calibrated?

Cherwell Laboratories recommends every 12 months and we will send a reminder for the month it is due. For some situations local procedures demand more frequent recalibrations so Cherwell is happy to offer tailored recalibration date labelling and reminders on request.

Why might I want gamma irradiated media?

The sterility of the packaged medium is assured and all but the outer layer of packaging is also sterile. Thus the risk to the environment to be sampled is greatly reduced. There is an additional benefit that the additional packaging and process extends the room temperature shelf life. This can be sufficient reason for small or irregular users to prefer irradiated.

Find more details of our irradiated range here.

What is the maximum exposure time for settle plates?

Settle plates are used to monitor the level of viable particles in the environment through a process of passive air sampling. A viable particle settles on agar plates at a rate dependent on its characteristics and the airflow in the environment.

EU GMP Guide Annex 1 has recommended that 90mm settle plates can be exposed in cleanroom environments for up to 4 hours. However, agar plates may dry out during long exposures where the rate of air exchange is high. So, it might be necessary to use deep filled settle plates, or replace the settle plate after a shorter time to ensure satisfactory growth promotion after exposure.

Is it OK to store prepared media in the fridge?

The storage condition for the majority of our prepared media is Ambient not exceeding 25ºC, the exception being a couple of very specialist products.

We have never specified storage in a fridge for our general media as this causes excessive condensation and can result in a very wet agar surface. This makes the product impossible to use.

View our data sheet on Redipor Storage Conditions.

What is the difference between general purpose and selective growth media?

General purpose media have nutrients that support the growth of most non fastidious culturable microorganisms. Selective growth media contain components that will inhibit the growth of some types of microorganisms, while supporting the growth of others.

General purpose media, such as Tryptone Soya Agar, are used to produce total counts. While selective media, such as XLD for Salmonella species, are used to test presence/absence of specific types of microorganism.

Cherwell is different

Supplying products is only the start

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The best products prepared for you

Our Redipor® media products are batch tested, QC certified and delivered when you need them

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Bespoke accessories and services

We provide additional equipment or services to make your environmental monitoring more effective

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Best customer service

We build long-standing client relationships on understanding, commitment and trust

SAS Hand held air sampler

Air Samplers for Environmental Monitoring

Do you have the right air sampler for your needs?

Choosing the best air sampler means that compliance, efficiency and consistency are met with confidence.

Learn more about types of air samplers and how each works. Download technical datasheets for each model and brochures to help you make a selection.

More About Air Samplers