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[Home](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en)[Applications](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/applications)[Microbiological Testing](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/applications/microbiological-testing)Surface & Personnel Testing
# Surface & Personnel Testing
Surface and personnel testing are methods to collect, detect, and characterize the levels of various microorganisms to monitor the efficiency of disinfection routines in critical and non-critical manufacturing areas. Hygiene standards in a production environment are directly linked to the microbiological safety and quality of the finished products. To protect consumers, several government agencies have developed methods, including EU cGMP, U.S. FDA Aseptic Guidance, and USP <1116>, which apply to regulate industries like pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food, and beverages.
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## Featured Categories
[](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/industrial-microbiology/viable-air-samplers)
[Environmental Monitoring and Aseptic Process Simulation](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/industrial-microbiology/viable-air-samplers)
Explore versatile air samplers based on various principles for tailored technology solutions. Designed for food, cleanrooms, hazardous areas, and more.
[Shop Products](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/industrial-microbiology/viable-air-samplers)
[](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/industrial-microbiology/hygiene-monitoring-instruments-samplers-tests-and-accessories)
[Hygiene Monitoring](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/industrial-microbiology/hygiene-monitoring-instruments-samplers-tests-and-accessories)
Hygiene monitoring verifies the effectiveness of your sanitization routine using methods like ATP testing, NAD testing, protein testing or swab sampling for food and beverage HACCP and cannabis microbiology testing.
[Shop Products](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/industrial-microbiology/hygiene-monitoring-instruments-samplers-tests-and-accessories)
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Overview
Related Articles & Protocols
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## [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com)Traditional Surface Monitoring
To ensure the safety of a product, it is key to monitor the cleanliness of surfaces in the production area, such as tables, walls, or doors, and in isolators and cleanrooms. These surfaces and areas must be free of microorganisms to reduce the risk of cross-contamination, which could make the product unsafe for use or consumption.
Aseptic and controlled environments require frequent monitoring by surface sampling methods. Flat surfaces can be sampled by pressing contact plates or slides on the surface with uniform and steady pressure for a few seconds. The sample plates or slides are then incubated for the microorganisms to grow, before enumerating the grown bacteria cultures. The incubation conditions differ depending on microflora composition and regulatory requirements. Curved surfaces and hard-to-access areas can be monitored by the swab test method.
## [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com)Rapid Surface Monitoring
Manufacturers who require fast results can use rapid methods to quantify microbial residue post-sanitation and pre-operation. Such methods include colorimetric based assays requiring no instrument or sampling swabs requiring an instrument reader such as a luminometer. The need for rapid quality control methods is especially high in the food and beverages industry. Due to the perishable nature of their manufactured goods, but also in other industries to keep up with increasing production demand.
## [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com)Personnel Monitoring
Personnel monitoring is performed to ensure the maintenance of the sterile environment. The majority of contamination within a facility can be traced to humans working in cleanrooms. Specific procedures for gowning, and sterilizing, need to be followed by the personnel before entering and exiting the aseptic cleanroom.
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## Related Articles
- [Contact Plates and Swabs for Personnel and Surface Monitoring](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/microbiological-testing/surface-and-personnel-testing/contact-plates-and-swabs)
Explore our range of contact plates and swabs for microbiological testing. Ideal for environmental monitoring in cleanrooms and controlled areas, our products ensure reliable surface and personnel testing to minimize contamination risks.
- [Bacterial Contamination Detection with ICR Swabs](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/microbiological-testing/surface-and-personnel-testing/detection-of-low-bacterial-contamination)
The ICR swabs and ICR contact plates are designed for environmental monitoring i.e., detection and enumeration of microbial contamination on dry, flat, and hard-to-access surfaces in cleanrooms and isolators.
- [Environmental Sample Pre Storage on Counting Results](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/microbiological-testing/viable-air-monitoring/environmental-sample-pre-storage-on-counting-results)
Microbial monitoring; environmental monitoring; interim storage; ICR contact plates; contact plates; TSA w. LTHThio Contact ICR+
- [IsoBag® Rapid Transfer Solution Optimizes Your Environmental Monitoring Workflow](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/microbiological-testing/viable-air-monitoring/environmental-monitoring-isobags)
IsoBag® ease the environmental monitoring workflow in aseptic production isolator
- [See All (4)](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/search/facet-search?focus=sitecontent&term=facet-search)
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## Related Webinars
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[Getting Equipped for the Future of Air Monitoring](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/collections/webinars/mas-100-sirius-microbial-air-sampler)
Join our event to discover a microbial air sampler that helps you prepare for the challenges of the future in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
[](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/collections/webinars/navigating-cleanroom-compliance-for-safe-material-transfer)
[Navigating Cleanroom Compliance for Safe Material Transfer](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/collections/webinars/navigating-cleanroom-compliance-for-safe-material-transfer)
Learn about environmental monitoring aspects to consider when materials need to be transferred into controlled areas.
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[Automated Environmental Monitoring in Gloveless Isolators](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/collections/webinars/enhancing-automated-environmental-monitoring-in-gloveless-isolators)
Learn more about the latest advancements in automation within fill and finish processes.
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__Featured Articles__
[Contact Plates and Swabs for Personnel and Surface Monitoring](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/microbiological-testing/surface-and-personnel-testing/contact-plates-and-swabs)
Explore our range of contact plates and swabs for microbiological testing. Ideal for environmental monitoring in cleanrooms and controlled areas, our products ensure reliable surface and personnel testing to minimize contamination risks.
[Bacterial Contamination Detection with ICR Swabs](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/microbiological-testing/surface-and-personnel-testing/detection-of-low-bacterial-contamination)
The ICR swabs and ICR contact plates are designed for environmental monitoring i.e., detection and enumeration of microbial contamination on dry, flat, and hard-to-access surfaces in cleanrooms and isolators.
[Environmental Sample Pre Storage on Counting Results](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/microbiological-testing/viable-air-monitoring/environmental-sample-pre-storage-on-counting-results)
Microbial monitoring; environmental monitoring; interim storage; ICR contact plates; contact plates; TSA w. LTHThio Contact ICR+
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