FAQs

Pathogens are defined as any organisms that causes disease to its host, they are widely diverse the most widely recognisable being viruses and bacteria but also include other organisms, such as algae and fungi. Airborne pathogens can spread infectious disease through microbes small enough to be spread from an infected person via coughing, sneezing, laughing and close personal contact. Discharged microbes remain suspended in the air on dust particles, respiratory and water droplets and can therefore transmit disease readily from person to person within the same environment.

The most common risk is presented by very infectious viruses easily spread to other people, in particular the biggest threat is from SARS‐CoV‐2 (Covid-19), Influenza (Flu) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). CHX environmental surveillance can test for each of these viruses individually or in combination and can identify the level of virus present within a room in order to assess the level of risk posed to people.

CHXAIR technicians take a defined sample of air from within a room using Thermo Scientific™ AerosolSense™ sampling machines that captures airborne pathogens onto a swab that is held within a captive tube. The swab samples are then processed using Digital-PCR either on-site in our mobile laboratories or at our host laboratory. The combined process is designed to provide highly reliable identification of the presence and quantity of virus within the sampled space.

Air sampling times are dependent on the size of the space being tested and is usually completed in 2-3 hours, sample processing takes approximately 4 hours and is undertaken either on-site in our mobile laboratories or at our host laboratory. The process can be timed to be taken continuously through the day, during work downtime or overnight in order to ensure a safe environment for the following working day.

The service has many use cases but has three primary objectives; firstly, to identify a safe working atmosphere in critical facilities where the presence of pathogens would put people at risk or result in the closure of services; secondly it can be used retrospectively to identify the presence of viruses and individuals that may have been exposed over a period of time; thirdly, using ‘before and after’ sampling to identify the effectiveness of local ventilation methods.

Frequency is dependent on the use case. In situations where a safe working environment is critical such as medical facilities, the testing should undertaken as a continuous process according to the cycle of activity and movement of people, usually daily. In other scenarios it may be undertaken on a less frequent basis to add assurance to other safety protocols, or as a one-off service to assess ventilation effectiveness or to assess potential spread following an individual outbreak.

Cost is dependent on individual site programmes, a single one-off test would start at £250.00 with subsequent testing reduced according to frequency of sampling and location of laboratory services. CHXAIR will provide a personalised service tailored according to your specific requirements.

CHXAIR uses world class technology in partnership with ThermoFisher Scientific™, the worlds leading provider of scientific instrumentation, reagents and software services combined with highly accurate ISO 17025 UKAS accredited laboratory analytics from Complement Genomics Limited. The combined process is designed to provide highly reliable identification of the presence and quantity of virus within the sampled space.