SKC BioStage Single-Stage Impactor Air Microbial Sampler (Model 228-9611)

Overview

The SKC BioStage Single-Stage Impactor (Model 228-9611) is a precision-engineered, NIOSH- and ACGIH-compliant air microbial sampler designed for quantitative collection of viable airborne microorganisms—including bacteria, fungi, and mold spores—onto standard agar culture media. Operating on the principle of inertial impaction, the BioStage accelerates sampled air through 400 precisely drilled nozzles (0.25 mm diameter), forcing particles with aerodynamic diameters ≥0.6 µm (D50 cut-off) to impact onto the surface of a rotating or static 90–100 mm agar plate. This physical separation mechanism preserves microbial viability and colony morphology, enabling subsequent enumeration, isolation, and identification under laboratory culture conditions. Unlike filtration-based or liquid-impinger methods, impaction minimizes desiccation stress and shear damage, supporting high recovery rates of culturable organisms. The device is intended for use with high-flow portable pumps (e.g., SKC QuickTake 30), delivering a calibrated volumetric flow rate of 28.3 L/min—aligned with standardized occupational and environmental bioaerosol assessment protocols.

Key Features

• Single-stage inertial impactor architecture optimized for broad-spectrum bioaerosol capture across bacterial and fungal size ranges
• SureLock positive-seal mechanism—patented SKC design ensuring leak-tight assembly without spring clamps, eliminating sample contamination risk during transport and incubation
• Fully autoclavable anodized aluminum construction (inlet cone and base plate) for repeated sterilization and cross-study consistency
• 400-nozzle stainless steel or precision-machined aluminum impactor stage with uniform 0.25 mm orifice geometry, validated for reproducible particle deposition efficiency
• Compatible with industry-standard 90 mm and 100 mm Petri dishes containing TSA, BAP, PDA, MEA, DG-18, or CMA media—enabling method flexibility per target organism class
• Calibrated D50 aerodynamic cut-off of 0.6 µm ensures effective collection of respirable and thoracic fraction bioaerosols relevant to occupational exposure assessment
• Minimal dead volume and streamlined airflow path reduce particle bounce and re-entrainment, enhancing quantitative accuracy

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The BioStage meets the performance and procedural requirements outlined in NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM) Methods 0800 (Viable Bacteria) and 0801 (Viable Fungi), as well as ACGIH Threshold Limit Values (TLVs®) documentation for bioaerosol sampling strategy. Its single-stage design has been empirically benchmarked against multi-stage Andersen impactors and demonstrates equivalent collection efficiency for culturable airborne microbes within the 0.7–10 µm aerodynamic diameter range. All components comply with ISO 14698-1:2003 (Biocontamination control of cleanrooms and associated controlled environments) for microbiological monitoring applications. The device supports GLP-compliant workflows when paired with audit-trail-capable data loggers and calibrated flow meters traceable to NIST standards.

Software & Data Management

As a passive mechanical sampler, the BioStage requires no embedded firmware or proprietary software. However, it integrates seamlessly into regulated laboratory workflows via external calibration and documentation systems. Users are advised to record pump runtime, flow verification data (pre- and post-sampling), environmental parameters (temperature, RH, barometric pressure), and plate lot numbers in electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) compliant with 21 CFR Part 11. When used with SKC’s AirChek TOUCH or legacy AirChek XR5000 pumps, flow stability and total volume can be logged automatically and exported in CSV format for audit-ready reporting. Sample tracking, incubation timelines, and colony-forming unit (CFU) enumeration data are managed within standard microbiology information systems (e.g., LabWare LIMS, Thermo Fisher SampleManager).

Applications

• Indoor air quality (IAQ) assessments in office buildings, schools, and healthcare facilities
• Evaluation of HVAC filter efficiency and cleanroom classification (ISO 14644-1 Class 5–8 environments)
• Environmental monitoring in aseptic pharmaceutical manufacturing (Grade A–D zones)
• Microbial challenge testing during beer fermentation, dairy processing, and grain storage
• Bioaerosol characterization in wastewater treatment plants, composting facilities, and animal housing units
• Baseline and post-intervention surveillance in hospital infection control programs
• Rapid response deployment during suspected biological incidents or bioterrorism preparedness exercises

FAQ

What is the recommended sampling duration for viable bioaerosol assessment using the BioStage?
Sampling time depends on expected microbial concentration and desired detection limit; typical durations range from 1 to 20 minutes at 28.3 L/min, yielding 28.3–566 L total volume. For low-biomass environments (e.g., cleanrooms), longer durations or multiple plates may be required.
Can the BioStage be used for non-viable particle counting?
No—the BioStage is specifically designed for culturable microorganism collection. It does not provide real-time particle counts or size distribution data; complementary instrumentation (e.g., optical particle counters) is required for non-viable analysis.
Is the SureLock seal compatible with standard Petri dish dimensions?
Yes—SureLock accommodates both 90 mm and 100 mm agar plates with standard height (14–16 mm), maintaining uniform gap distance between nozzle plate and agar surface for consistent impaction velocity.
How often should the impactor stage be cleaned and sterilized?
The aluminum impactor stage must be autoclaved (121°C, 15 psi, 20 min) or chemically disinfected (e.g., 70% ethanol followed by sterile water rinse) between each sampling event to prevent carryover contamination.
Does the BioStage require annual recalibration?
The device itself has no active sensors and does not require calibration; however, the connected air sampling pump must undergo annual flow verification per ISO/IEC 17025-accredited procedures or internal SOPs.