Everything you need to collect a clean, reliable sample. Follow the method that matches your kit —
most collections take about ten minutes. Each guide is also available as a printable PDF to keep
beside you while you sample.
Swiffer cloths are used to collect dust for NGS and ERMI analysis. They cannot be used on carpet. Every Swiffer cloth we supply is gamma-sterilised to remove background contamination — standard cleaning-industry wipes are not recommended.
Where to sample
Surfaces of tables, chairs, bookshelves and cabinets.
The tops of doors, cubicle dividers, door-frames, window-frames and fluorescent lights.
The tops of electronic devices — monitors, printers, computers and telephones.
Avoid areas of visible mould growth (this can bias the result), window sills where condensation collects, and low surfaces such as floors and skirting boards.
Step by step
Wear the gloves provided. Take the Swiffer cloth out of its plastic bag and wipe it over the dusty surface — the dust should be visible on the cloth.
Wipe in one direction only, each swipe about 1 metre long. Don’t scrub or wipe in circles. For each new spot, fold the cloth so a clean section is showing. Around ten different locations is ideal.
Collect enough dust — enough is when dust covers at least 50% of the cloth.
Fold the cloth up and reseal it in the plastic bag. Write your name and address on the bag with a marker.
Fill in the Chain of Custody (CoC) form supplied and note the locations you sampled.
Post the bag(s) back to NSJ EnviroSciences at the address on the Chain of Custody form.
Good to know: One cloth covers one analysis (up to 10 areas in a home). To have separate areas analysed individually (e.g. bedroom, bathroom, kitchen), you’ll need a test kit for each. Call us any time if you’d like a hand.
The vacuum method collects floor dust from two primary rooms for qPCR (ERMI) analysis. Don’t combine basement or crawl-space dust with upstairs living-space samples.
In your kit
Dust collector (main holder, a cap on each end, and a filter insert).
One re-sealable bag for the dust collector.
Sampling instructions and a Chain-of-Custody (CoC) form.
One pair of clean disposable gloves.
You’ll also need
A vacuum cleaner.
A tape measure.
A timer, or a clock/watch with a second hand.
A roll of masking tape (to map out the sampling area).
Step by step
Choose two primary rooms — typically the Common Living Area (CLA) and the Bedroom (BR). Gloves may be worn throughout (optional).
In the living area, find the sofa or most-used chair. Mark a 1 m × 2 m rectangle on the floor right against it (about 2 square metres total). If it won’t fit, adjust the shape to keep ~2 m² and record the dimensions on the CoC form.
Plug in and test the vacuum. Remove the head/nozzle, take the caps off both ends of the dust collector (keep them), and fit it onto the vacuum. A wrap of tape between the collector and hose stops it slipping off.
Turn the vacuum on, place the collector in one corner and start timing. Vacuum the area for at least 5 minutes. Tilt the collector slightly to one side as you go — holding it flat to the floor blocks airflow and won’t collect dust. Check the filter insert; if too little dust has gathered, vacuum longer or widen the area.
Finish with the collector facing up, turn the vacuum off, and plug one end so dust can’t fall out.
Move to the bedroom and repeat against the bed: mark the 1 m × 2 m area, vacuum for at least 5 minutes, then finish facing up and turn off.
Plug the small end, remove the collector from the hose, turn it big-side up and replace the other plug. Place the capped collector in the re-sealable bag.
Put the bag and the CoC form together and post them back to NSJ EnviroSciences at the address on the form.
Good to know: If you can’t use the vacuum method due to space or other restrictions, use the Swiffer Cloth method above instead.
Not sure which kit you need?
Talk to a scientist — not a salesperson — and we’ll point you to the right test.