A lab technician is reading a viable airborne particle air sampling result for an ISO Class 5 area. There is 1 CFU present. Which of the following is true?

Question

A. This result meets the action level/is within limits for ISO 5 area
B. This result exceeds the action level/is out of limits for an ISO 5 area
C. A designated person should be promptly notified of the excursion
D. No further action is needed aside from reviewing if this shows an adverse trend
E. An attempt must be made to identify any microorganism recovered to the genus level
F. Assistance should be sought or employed from a microbiologist to identify the microorganisms recovered.
G. Result should be trended
H. b, c, e, f, g
I. a, d, g

Answer 1

In an ISO Class 5 area, the action level for viable airborne particulates is generally considered to be 1 CFU (colony-forming unit) per cubic meter of air sampled. Given that there is 1 CFU present from the sampling result, the correct interpretation would be:

• A. This result meets the action level/is within limits for ISO 5 area.

Therefore, options that correctly reflect the appropriate response are:

• I. a, d, g

  • A: This result meets the action level/is within limits for ISO 5 area.
  • D: No further action is needed aside from reviewing if this shows an adverse trend (assuming this is not a consistent finding and is being monitored).
  • G: Result should be trended.

Given that the result is within limits, there wouldn't be an urgent need to notify anyone, perform further identifications, or seek microbiological assistance unless a significant trend emerges or there are other contextual factors influencing the results.