Sewage, MRSA & other Bacterial Contamination Assessments

HygieneTech has performed both qualitative and quantitative surveys in various commercial and residential settings post sewage spills/releases to determine the presence of specific indicator organisms that would indicate surface contamination and the need for cleaning of those surfaces and/or the removal of building materials. Such surveys will typically require swab samples to be collected from potentially affected surfaces. All samples are submitted to and analyzed by experienced microbiologists at laboratories accredited by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). Target indicator organisms can include Escherichia coli (E. Coli) and Enterococcus, both of which appear in great quantities in the intestines and feces of people and animals. The presence of these fecal coliforms often indicate recent fecal contamination.

HygieneTech has also performed surveys to address concerns regarding bacterial infections caused by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a drug-resistant strain of the Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria. Such surveys also require surface sampling of building materials and/or personal articles. All samples are sent to an accredited laboratory and can be initially analyzed for the presence of MRSA using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis, and those samples that test positive for the presence of MRSA can be further tested for viability. Note that S. aureus, including MRSA and multiple other species are not uncommonly found on the skin, skin glands, and mucous membranes of mammals. Staphylococci generally have a benign and symbiotic relationship with the host, however, if the natural cutaneous barriers are breached by trauma, inoculation by needles, or direct implantation of medical devices, these organisms can gain entry into the host tissues and, under such circumstances, can be pathogenic. MRSA infections are usually asymptomatic in healthy individuals and may last from a few weeks to many years. Patients with compromised immune systems are at a significantly greater risk of a symptomatic secondary infection. Many people who are symptomatic with an S. aureus infection, including MRSA, will have pus-filled boils, and occasionally rashes. S. aureus infections are often acute and pyrogenic and, if untreated, can spread to surrounding tissue and/or can affect other organs.

Reports are prepared on the bacterial contamination assessment survey that include background information, a presentation of the analytical data, a discussion of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations.