Sample Storage and Shipping Guidelines

To ensure reliable results, samples should be stored and shipped according to the instructions below. Proper temperature control and packaging are critical to maintaining sample integrity.

Dust Samples

  • Short-term (≤5 business days): Store in a dry place and ship to InBio at room temperature.
  • Long-term (>1 week): Store refrigerated or frozen. Ship overnight in an insulated container with ice packs.

Dust Extracts

  • Always store at -20°C immediately after extraction.
  • Ship on dry ice in an insulated container.

Air Samples – Laboratory Animal Allergens

Air Samples – Endotoxin and Enzyme Analysis

  • Pack individually to avoid cross-contamination and condensation.
  • Ship overnight in an insulated container with ice packs.
  • If collecting samples over multiple days, store refrigerated or frozen and ship with ice packs.
  • Reference: Enzyme White Paper

Bulk Samples (Liquids and Powders)

  • Follow the manufacturer’s recommended shipping conditions for storage and transport.

Important Notes

  • Shipping samples at ambient temperature can expose them to temperature fluctuations that may affect allergen stability and data reliability.
  • Shipping on ice packs or dry ice provides protection against heat exposure and potential courier delays.
  • Upon receipt of cold shipments, InBio records the temperature as part of our ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation requirements. Ambient packages are recorded as room temperature (RT).

  • For Bulk Samples
    To analyze for the allergen levels in bulk dust samples, we need 100mg of fine dust. Our recent findings (click link below) indicate that due to increased potential for variability, allergen analysis should not be attempted unless a minimum of 10mg fine dust is available. Samples with less than 10mg available of fine dust will not be analyzed and a “Not Enough Sample (NES)” charge will be applied.
    “Variability introduced into allergen immunoassays during the dust extraction process”
  • For DUSTREAM™ Samples
    If using the DUSTREAM™ and sampling for the recommended area and time yields very little or no dust, continue sampling until the filter is 1/4 full. Our allergen results are not based on area, but on microgram of allergen per gram of dust. Here is a visual of how much dust is needed.
  • For Extracted Samples
    For allergen extracts or extracts of bulk dust or air filters, we need a minimum of 0.5 mL, especially if testing for multiple allergens.
  • For Air Filter Samples
    For air sampling cassettes, the whole filter is extracted with 1ml of PBS extraction solution and the results are reported as ng or µg allergen per filter.

  • For Bulk Samples
    To analyze for endotoxin levels in bulk dust samples, we need 100mg of fine dust. Samples of bulk dust will not be processed if there is less than 20mg of fine dust.
  • For DUSTREAM™ Samples
    If using the DUSTREAM™ and sampling for the recommended area and time yields very little or no dust, continue sampling until the filter is 1/4 full. Our endotoxin results are not based on area, but on endotoxin Units per gram dust.
  • For Extracted Samples
    It is very important that we receive samples that have not been extracted. The extraction procedure must be performed in a clean environment with endotoxin free water containing 0.05% Tween. Samples should be extracted and analyzed on the same day. These steps are important in preventing endotoxin contamination from other sources.
  • For Air Filter Samples
    Air filter samples can also be sent in for endotoxin analysis. The whole filter is extracted in 1mL of endotoxin free water with 0.05% Tween. Results are reported as endotoxin Units per filter. We recommend sending in a blank filter for testing as well to provide a baseline for the specific filter being used.

InBio uses commercially available kits to quantify endotoxin from gram-negative bacteria in various types of samples. If a method is not specified on the chain of custody, rFC is the default method used for analysis. Turnaround time for endotoxin samples is 10 business days (next-day rush service is available for an additional fee).

Gel Clot LAL Assay (AS-GCT)

  • Qualitative test that provides results as ‘positive/negative’ relative to a defined endotoxin concentration (e.g. 1EU/mL, 5EU/mL, 10EU/mL).
  • United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Chapter <85> and FDA approved.

Recombinant Factor C (rFC) Assay (AS-RFC)

  • Quantitative test that uses rFC, a manufactured version of the protein found in horseshoe crab blood.
  • An animal-free alternative to LAL with improved sensitivity and lot-to-lot consistency.
  • Eliminates potential for false positives due to Beta-(1,3)-D-glucans.
  • United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Chapter <86> and FDA approved.
  • Not recommended for testing bulk dust samples likely to contain dust mite allergens.

Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) Assay (AS-LAL)

  • Quantitative test that uses a reagent from the amebocytes (blood cells) from horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus).
  • Not sustainable; frequent and unpredictable supply chain delays.
  • United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Chapter <85> and FDA approved.
  • Susceptible to false-positives from Beta-(1,3)-D-glucans.

Whether to sieve the dust or not is determined by the quality of the dust.

We do not routinely sieve dust collected from beds and soft furnishings. Carpet samples are sieved (e.g. using a No.45 mesh screen, 355um diameter sieve) to separate the fiber and large particles from fine dust.

We recommend using the DUSTREAM™ collector, which greatly reduces the need for sieving dust. After collecting a dust sample using the DUSTREAM™ collector, remove the nylon filter containing the dust sample insert, invert the filter and tap the dust onto a piece of weigh paper. The fine dust falls before the fibers come out of the filter.

See Sample Extraction Procedure.

See Submitting Samples.

Download Analysis Request Form:

Standard turnaround time from sample receipt is five business days for the US lab, and 10 business days for the UK lab.

Sample Reports: 

MARIA 8-plex Inhalable Allergen Analysis Report

MARIA Laboratory Animal Allergen Analysis Report

Note: The customized report you will receive will list only the allergens requested on the chain of custody.

Guidelines:

Q: What is Mite Group 1?

A: The concentration results of Der p 1 and Der f 1 should be added together and then compared to the Mite Group 1 guidelines to interpret the risk of sensitization.

Q: Why does the high and medium guideline values proposed for Fel d 1 and Can f 1 seem like they are reversed?

A: The values are correct as listed. The results are based on two studies that observed individuals who were frequently exposed to high levels of Fel d 1 ad/or Can f 1, developed a tolerance to these allergens, which resulted in mild allergic symptoms when exposed to 8-20μg/g dust. Individuals with less frequent exposure to high levels of Fel d 1 and/or Can f 1, 1-8μg/g dust, may experience more severe allergic symptoms because their immune system has not developed a tolerance.

Q: How do we explain this to customers and/or colleagues?

A: The bottom line: If the allergen concentration falls in the range of 1-20μg/g dust, there is the potential risk for individuals to become sensitized. If the individual(s) already has a known allergy to Fel d 1 and/or Can f 1 then the severity of their allergic symptoms may vary depending on whether they have developed a tolerance.

Q: Why are the Bla g 1 results reported in Units per gram (U/g) dust while all other allergens are in micrograms per gram (μg/g) dust?

A: There are no national or international reference standards for cockroach allergens. These references are necessary to calculate an accurate conversion from U/g to μg/g. Some investigators are of the opinion that any detectable level of cockroach allergen(s) is clinically significant because the presence of allergen identifies a building in which person(s) who are cockroach allergic are at risk to develop symptoms due to exposure.

Q: What are the current guidelines for mouse (Mus m 1) and rat (Rat n 1) allergens?

A: There are no published studies which have defined allergen exposure threshold levels for sensitization. Any positive result identifies a potential rodent presence in the building and should be remediated.