Picture- A Precision Air Technology technician taking viable and particulate air samples in a Compounding Aseptic Isolator (CAI). USP<797> recommends sampling 1,000 liters of air per location. Collecting 1,000 liters eliminates the CFU per m³ calculation.

Viable environmental monitoring is extremely important in compounding pharmacies and other controlled environments. Precision Air Technology has technicians accredited by CETA National Board of Testing as Registered Cleanroom Certification Professional for Sterile Compounding Facilities. The services we offer are:

• Surface and Air Sampling For Bacteria and Fungi
• Compressed Air Sampling For Bacteria and Fungi
• Consultation To Assist Customers In Developing a Viable Sampling Plan

We work with an independent environmental laboratory to incubate and record results from the project samples.  The testing lab then issues a professional test report which details any growth identified to its species.

The Controlled Environment Testing Association (CETA) is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. CETA provides training classes and offers accreditation programs through the CETA National Board of Testing (CNBT). Precision Air Technology does performance testing in USP <797> and USP <800> compounding facilities and has CNBT-Registered Cleanroom Certification Professionals for Sterile Compounding Facilities on staff

USP <797> specifications require that ceiling tiles in compounding pharmacies be caulked in place to prevent contamination from entering the room from the area above the ceiling. Testing the HEPA filters often requires having access to the top of the filter. Instead of cutting the seal to remove a tile (took comma out) Precision Air installed individual PAO injection ports in a ceiling tile. This makes the testing job more efficient and eliminates contamination from the cutting of the seal and removing a tile from the ceiling grid.

Ensuring that the product being compounded is bathed in non-turbulent HEPA-filtered air is a focus of <USP 797> testing guidelines. This air is often referred to as “first air.” This image demonstrates the concept of “first air” through a smoke study performed while a lab technician is working in a clean bench. This is one test that qualifies the work space as acceptable for the compounding process. Some of our largest <USP 797> testing projects are in university hospital pharmacies

We work with an independent environmental laboratory to incubate the project samples and record the results.  The lab then issues an easy-to-read professional test report which details any growth identified to its species.

<USP 797> and <USP 800> specifications require that ceiling tiles in compounding pharmacies be caulked in place to prevent contamination getting into the room from the area above the ceiling. Testing the HEPA filters often requires having access to the top of the filter. Instead of cutting the seal to remove a tile, Precision Air installed individual PAO injection ports in a ceiling tile. This made the job easier, and made it safer for the users, the room and the products being manufactured in it.