SKC 225-9611 User Manual

Operating Instructions

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863 Valley View Road, Eighty Four, PA 15330 USA

BioStage Impactors

The SKC BioStage® single-stage viable cascade impactors operate on the principle
of inertial impaction and meet NIOSH Method 0800 and 0801 requirements and
ACGIH recommendations for sampling viable microorganisms including bacteria
and fungi. Made of precision-tooled autoclavable aluminum, sampler components
are precision-threaded together for a positive seal to ensure sample integrity. Air is
drawn through the impactor where particles are impacted onto an agar collection
medium for culture, count, and identifi cation. BioStage provides performance
equivalent to the Andersen N-6 and Aerotech A6 (see reference on page 7). Two
models of the BioStage Impactor are available.

Standard BioStage contains a 400-hole jet classifi cation stage and

BioStage 200 contains a 200-hole jet classifi cation stage and is

Specifi cations

Flow Rate: Standard BioStage: 28.3 L/min
BioStage 200: 14.15 L/min

Material: Inlet cone and
base plate: Precision-tooled autoclavable

aluminum
O-rings: Duro 50, BUNA-N (not autoclavable)
Jet Classifi cation Stage: Standard BioStage: 400 holes (0.25-mm hole diameter)
BioStage 200: 200 holes (0.25-mm hole diameter)

Median Cut-point (D
Sample Media: 15 x 90 to 100-mm agar plates*
Analysis: Colony culture
Tubing: 1/4-inch ID

* Consult a laboratory for information on appropriate agar choice.
† In situations where spore counts are high, positive-hole correction should be used. See Macher,

J., "Positive-hole Correction of Multiple-jet Impactors for Collecting Viable Microorganisms,"
American Industrial Hygiene Journal, 50 (11), 1989, pp. 561-568, available at www.skcinc.com/
pdf/Multiple_Jet_Impactors.pdf

is operated at 28.3 L/min

operated at 14.15 L/min

): 0.6 μm

50

†

Sample Media

Use appropriate agar in a 15 x 90 to 100-mm agar plate with the Standard BioStage
or the BioStage 200. Plastic or glass agar plates can be used. Verify with your agar
supplier that the plates contain the proper volume of agar to achieve the appropriate
agar height to maintain impactor cut-points. Store agar plates as directed by the
supplier.

Suggested Media

For Bacteria: Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA) or Blood Agar Plates (BAP)

For Fungi: Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), Malt Extract Agar (MEA),

For information on laboratories that can provide agar plates and analyze
samples, see Laboratories at www.skcinc.com.

Dichloran Glycerol 18 Agar (DG-18), or Corn Meal Agar (CMA)

Caution: Clean the BioStage before the fi rst use and between subsequent uses.
See Cleaning and Sterilizing.

Caution: Sanitize hands or wear disposable gloves. Sanitize hands and
impactor any time contamination from handling is possible. Do not touch holes
in the jet classifi cation stage.

Assembly

1. Remove the inlet cone by lifting it up and off.

2. Remove the jet classifi cation stage by gently
unscrewing it and lifting it up and off.

Note: Visually inspect the condition of the O-ring
in the inlet cone and in the base plate. Ensure the
O-ring surface is smooth (i.e., without cracks, cuts,
or other damage). Ensure the O-ring fi ts properly
in the channel in the inlet cone and the base plate.
The O-ring should lay fl ush with the upper lip
of channel. Replace if there is apparent damage,
stretching, or thinning.

Caution: Ensure refrigerated agar plates have been permitted to warm up to
ambient temperature (approximately 20 minutes) before use.

3. Remove the lid from an agar plate and place the lid in
a clean resealable bag. Place the agar plate on the three
raised metal pins in the base plate of the impactor.

Caution: Do not operate without an agar plate in place.

4. Gently screw the jet classifi cation stage back onto the
base plate. Align and press the inlet cone onto the jet
classifi cation stage until a secure seal is established.

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Calibration with a QuickTake 30 Sample Pump

¼-inch Tubing

Pump inlet

adapter

Pump inlet

adapter

3

/8-inch

Sampling tubing

Luer adapter

Luer adapter

BioStage

inlet

BioStage outlet

¼-inch Tubing

Rotameter outlet

3

/8-inch

Adapter tubing

Calibration

adapter

QuickTake® 30 pump and BioStage in calibration train

1. Ensure the BioStage is fully assembled with a representative agar plate in
place.

2. Connect the rotameter outlet to one end of the ¼-inch ID tubing.

3. Insert the small end of a Luer adapter into the free end of ¼-inch tubing.

4. Insert the large end of the Luer adapter into the short length of the

3

/8-inch

adapter tubing.

5. Install the free end of the adapter tubing onto the calibration adapter.

6.

Press the calibration adapter onto the BioStage inlet until a fi rm seal is established.

7. Connect the BioStage outlet to one end of the ¼-inch ID tubing.

8. Insert the small end of a second Luer adapter into the free end of the ¼-inch
tubing.

9. Insert the large end of the second Luer adapter into one end of the

3

/8-inch

sampling tubing and the pump inlet adapter into the other end.

10. Insert the pump inlet adapter into the pump inlet.

11. Calibrate the sample pump to 28.3 L/min for a Standard BioStage or

14.15 L/min for BioStage 200.

The calibration adapter and rotameter are for use with both models of BioStage. See Accessories.

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Sampling

Caution: Sanitize hands or wear disposable gloves. Sanitize hands and clean
the BioStage Impactor in between samples.

Caution: Never use agar that has expired, displays visible cracks, or has been
contaminated.

Caution: Allow agar plates to warm up to ambient temperature
(approximately 20 minutes) before use.

Caution: When sampling indoors, close all doors and windows that could
affect airfl ow in the sampling area.

1. Calibrate the fl ow rate (see Calibration with a QuickTake 30 Sample Pump).

2. Remove the calibration adapter, tubing,
and fl owmeter. The BioStage outlet should
remain connected to the pump inlet with
fl exible tubing. If using the Mounting
Bracket accessory (Cat. No. 228-9531), see
Operating Instructions 40066 supplied with
the accessory.

3. Remove the inlet cone and jet classifi cation
stage from the BioStage. Place a new,
unexposed agar plate into the base plate
(see Assembly). Remove the lid from the agar
plate and place in a clean resealable bag.
Reassemble the impactor.

BioStage mounted on

QuickTake

mounting bracket accessory

30 Pump with

4. Turn on the vacuum pump and sample for 2 to 5 minutes.

Caution: Sampling too long can cause overgrowth of sample. Sampling times
that are too short can cause false negatives.

5. After sampling is complete, turn off the pump and disconnect the fl exible
tubing from the BioStage outlet.

6. Remove the agar plate (see Removing the Agar Plate), sterilize the sampler (see
Cleaning and Sterilizing), and insert a fresh agar plate. Reassemble the sampler
and take additional samples (see Note below). Repeat sampling as needed.

Note: An additional indoor control sample should be taken in a non-complaint
area. Outdoor samples should be collected for comparison to indoor samples.
Clearly mark each sample. Sterilize the sampler between each sample period
(see Cleaning and Sterilizing).

4

Removing the Agar Plate (Sample)

1. Remove the inlet cone and jet classifi cation stage (see Assembly, Steps 1 and 2).

2. Remove the agar plate containing the sample and replace its cover
immediately.

3. According to laboratory instructions, label the bottom of the agar plate with
all pertinent sampling information. Seal the agar plate lid to the plate with
tape and place in a sealable bag.

4. According to laboratory instructions, place the agar plate containing the
sample in an ice chest with blue ice.

Caution: Ensure ice packs are not touching the plates to prevent freezing.

5. According to laboratory instructions, immediately ship the agar plates
containing the samples and a blank agar plate (see Blanks) to a laboratory.

Blanks

NIOSH suggests that a representative agar plate be loaded into the BioStage and
immediately unloaded to serve as a blank for each sample.

Cleaning and Sterilizing

To clean the BioStage, disassemble and place the parts in an ultrasonic bath with a
mild detergent-water solution. Thoroughly rinse and air dry in a dust-free space.

To Sterilize the BioStage:

a. Remove the O-rings and autoclave
b. Immerse in 70% isopropanol or ethanol and air dry

For fi eld sterilization, parts can be swabbed using a sterile gauze pad with 70%
isopropanol or ethanol and air dried.

Note: During cleaning, visually inspect the condition of the O-ring in the inlet
cone and in the base plate. Ensure the O-ring surface is smooth (i.e., without
cracks, cuts, or other damage). Ensure the O-ring fi ts properly in the channel
in the inlet cone and the base plate. The O-ring should lay fl ush with the upper
lip of the channel. Replace if there is apparent damage, stretching, or thinning.

5

Ordering Information

BioStage Cat. No.
Standard BioStage

‡

single-stage viable cascade impactor

(400 holes, 28.3 L/min) 225-9611

BioStage 200

‡

single-stage viable cascade impactor
(200 holes, 14.15 L/min) 225-9610
BioStage Pump Kit - DC includes Standard BioStage

‡

Sampler, QuickTake 30∆ pump with battery, AC charger/
adapter (100-240 V), mounting bracket with inlet adapter,
calibration adapter, fi eld rotameter, tubing, and deluxe carry
case 228-9530K

Accessories Cat. No.
QuickTake 30 Sample Pump, Rotameter, and Charger
100-240 V 228-9530A
Calibration Adapter for BioStage, allows tubing to
connect to BioStage inlet. Suitable for both BioStage models P33100
Mounting Bracket for QuickTake 30, holds BioStage in
place on pump during sampling 228-9531
Replacement O-ring for Base Plate, ea P32287
Replacement O-ring for Inlet Cone, pk/2 P31893

‡

Requires microbiological media supplied by analytical laboratories. For lab list, go to

www.skcinc.com/labs/225-9611-labs.asp.

∆ QuickTake 30 pump is not CE marked.

SKC Limited Warranty and Return Policy

SKC products are subject to the SKC Limited Warranty and Return Policy,
which provides SKC’s sole liability and the buyer’s exclusive remedy. To view
the complete SKC Limited Warranty and Return Policy, go to http://www.
skcinc.com/warranty.asp.

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References

Macher, J., (ed.) Bioaerosols: Assessment and Control, ACGIH, 1999

Macher, J., "Positive-hole Correction of Multiple-jet Impactors for Collecting Viable
Microorganisms," American Industrial Hygiene Journal, 50 (11), 1989, pp. 561-568, available at

www.skcinc.com/pdf/Multiple_Jet_Impactors.pdf

Samimi, B. and Shufutinsky, A., "Comparison of the Thermo-Andersen N6, the Aerotech A6,
the SKC BioStage, and the SKC Micromedia Viable Samplers in Collecting Airborne Fungal
Spores," AIHce 2005, San Diego, CA, Final Program, p. 43

Yao, M. and Mainelis, G., "Analysis of Portable Impactor Performance for Enumeration of Viable
Bioaerosols," Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, Vol. 4, Issue 7, July 2007,
pp. 514-524

Dobranic, J., “Superbugs in Our Communities - An Introduction for the IEQ Professional,” EMSL,
IAQA Conference, Tampa, FL, 2008

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www.skcinc.com

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Form 40083 Rev 1403