II have been working with hygiene control issues for over twenty years across many different industries. Although hygiene requirements can vary greatly, there is one question I encounter almost every day: What is the best way to measure cleaning and hygiene?
Before I answer, I usually start by asking, “What exactly do you want to measure?” When I don’t get a good answer, it becomes clear that this might not be so simple after all.
Cleaning refers to the removal of dirt, often through a mechanical method such as using microfiber cloths or washing. Disinfection, on the other hand, refers to reducing bacteria to a level considered safe. Disinfection methods often involve chemicals or heat. In other words, disinfection and cleaning are entirely different processes, and they should be measured in different ways.
ATP for cleaning verification
When it comes to cleaning inspections,ATPis undoubtedly the simplest and fastest method. ATP for adenosine triphosphate and is a substance produced inside all types of cells that acts as the cell’s energy carrier. ATP extremely well as a hygiene indicator on most surfaces. Low ATP indicate that there is little biomass or bacterial food and that the risk of infection is lower. Conversely, high ATP are an indication of poor hygiene. It is important to understand that ATP does not correlate particularly well with bacterial levels. The reason is that ATP not only in bacteria but also in, for example, blood, meat, or food scraps.
Today, there are simple handheld ATP meters and swab tests available that require minimal training to use. ATP take only a few minutes, so the results can be used to take immediate action, which is valuable in many industries.
The pressure plate for disinfection verification
If the goal is to measure disinfection, the classic pressure plate remains the best option. However, the pressure plate requires the cultivation of bacterial colonies, which takes a few days. Nevertheless, the results provide a more accurate picture of a disinfection method.
However, if you want to be truly effective at measuring cleanliness and hygiene, my recommendation is to use both methods. That way, you’ll get the full picture of your hygiene control that’s needed to take the right steps.
If you’d like to learn more about hygiene inspections, please feel free to contact me.
Frank Axelsson, tel. 0707 912103