Analytic Laboratories of Athens S.A.

Our continuous commitment to the development and progress of Science and our goal to be a Laboratory with official international recognition of scientific competence and integrity, prompted us to the need for Accreditation of our company.
Our Laboratories have already been accredited since 2002 by the National Accreditation System according to the ELOT EN ISO/IEC 17025 standard, for microbiological and chemical analyzes in water, food and feed, for biological tests in water as well as for water sampling, of liquid and solid waste, environmental samples and surfaces in food handling areas. (Certificate of Accreditation No. 102).
The importance of environmental conditions and ensuring the quality of water and food for the protection of individual and public health is enormous. In this context, our company offers an integrated service provision system, which is oriented towards:
In the immediate recording of the existing situation and in the recording of possible environmental risks
In the appropriate design and implementation of a plan of sampling and test analyses, which will ensure and determine the potential risk at the control points
In the immediate evaluation of the results
In the analysis of the potential environmental risk and in the delimitation of the appropriate corrective actions to remove them
In the constant updating of the customer, at any of the above stages if deemed necessary.
Thus, among others, our company undertakes and deals with laboratory [microbiological and chemical] analyses:
Food and surfaces from mass catering, hotels, etc.
Nero
drinking water
swimming pool waters
marine waters
Legionella (Legionella spp) in water from air conditioners and water supply networks of hospital and hotel units, as well as any other public building or residences
of Hemodialysis Unit Water for endotoxin detection
Environmental samples of primary animal production for Salmonella spp.
Liquid and solid waste from biological cleaning.

Microbiological Laboratory
Vas. Sofias 104, 11527, Athens
210 7470500
waternet@ergastiria.gr
210 7470501
***
Chemical lab
El. 127 Venizelou & 31 Alikarnassos , 14231, N. Ionia
210 7470500
waternet@ergastiria.gr
210 7470501

Analyzes

Water

BACTERIAL ENDOTOXINS: DETERMINATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN CONTENT

In the context of the health support of the Nursing Units, we would like to inform you that our laboratories can support a complete control of microbiological and chemical analyzes of the supply water of the Hemodialysis Units.

Taking into account the European standards as well as the relevant directives of the Ministry of Health and being fully aware of the potential danger to the lives of patients due to water circulation in the dialysis units that does not meet the relevant specifications, we are able to ensure not only the accuracy and fidelity of the analyzes carried out, but also to confirm laboratory compliance or not with the minimum required limit for each chemical substance in the water.

Special mention should be made of endotoxins in dialysis water, which our laboratories can detect at the minimum required concentration. We should note that in this field (detection of endotoxins in the supply water of hemodialysis units), our laboratories are pioneers in the field of private diagnostic laboratories and beyond.

DRILLING: MICROBIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF DRILLING WATER

In the framework of the application of the relevant applicable legislation, the water quality is checked for:

Irrigation/energy use (pH, hardness, conductivity, chloride, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia)

Water supply/ Number of animals (pH hardness, conductivity, chlorides, nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, microbiological analysis according to KYA 2600/ 2001)

Use of coastal waters (TOC, D.O., nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, total coliforms, faecal coliforms, enterococci)

DETERMINATION OF ELEMENTS AND HEAVY METALS: DETERMINATION OF METALS

Our laboratories have many years of experience in the determination of elements and are equipped with modern and innovative analytical instruments. Analyzes are carried out in water, waste, food, mud, sewage, water for artificial kidney units and in pharmaceutical preparations for all the metals of the periodic table, fully meeting the requirements of the legislation (KYA 2600/2001, Regulation 1881/2006, European Pharmacopoeia) .

Our equipment includes:

Microwave sample digestion oven

Flame photometer

Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption with ZEEMAN Background Correction (ZETAAS) and Hydride System

Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrophotometer and Mass Spectrograph (ICP-MS).

Our laboratory is the only private one nationwide equipped with ICP-MS.

The determination of metals by ICP-MS is a relatively new analytical technique, which compared to classical methods (AAS, ICP-OES) offers the following advantages:

a. Multi-element analysis for all elements of the periodic table (except halogens and gases)

b. Extremely low detection and quantification limits (in most metals, the detection limit is from 2 to 50 ng/l)

c. Faster analysis speed and better result accuracy.

The elements determined by our Laboratory, which is Accredited by the Greek National Institute of Health and Welfare, having the largest Accreditation Scope in Greece, are the following:

Lithium

Beryllium

Boron

Sodium

Magnesium

Aluminum

Phosphorus

Potassium

Calcium

Titanium

Vanadium

Chromium

Manganese

Cobalt

Iron

Nickel

Copper

Zinc

Male

Selenium

Strontium

Molybdenum

Silver

Cadmium

Tin

Antimony

Barium

Mercury

Thallium

Lead

Uranium

In addition, it is possible to determine other elements in different types of sample.

SWIMMING POOL WATER ANALYSIS: MICROBIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF SWIMMING POOL WATER

The goal of a swimming pool is to give you recreation, safe use and health for many, many years.

For this reason, all manufacturers as well as its owners tend to believe that the pool in question has been made with the most advanced technology and the best construction materials.

Like any activity in our life, the use of the swimming pool both for exercise and recreation is meant only with water that is suitable for swimming and in an environment and data for the swimming pool that provide the necessary safety guarantees.

As for the water, it must be characterized by a series of chemical and microbiological parameters with values within such limits that swimming in it minimizes certain health problems that may arise otherwise.

From the international literature, it follows (given that humans are not made for aquatic environments) that swimmers are particularly susceptible to infections:

of the skin, i.e. dermatitis – mainly fungal infections

of the eyes, mainly conjunctivitis

of the ears, mainly otitis externa and less often,

hepatitis A, gastroenteritis, parasites, etc.

The germs that are the cause of these infections end up in the pool from:

poor quality water that is contaminated in any way

water of good quality but which is not properly sanitized, if we do not follow the instructions of the pool manufacturer for its disinfection and its proper maintenance, the body and excreta of the swimmers.

These germs can settle in the pool and multiply in the water.

In addition to the above, one must be careful that:

to constantly overflow the surface layer of the pool water, because this is also the most likely to transmit germs to others

the water to be recirculated every 4 hours in its entire volume and after being cleaned to return to the pool

to have the appropriate areas to deal with accidents and to give first aid

that there is sufficient lighting and ventilation

pool floats are safe

to have life jackets

the surfaces should be anti-slip, so they don't slip

B. In relation to the proper operation of the swimming pool

to observe the upper limit for the number of swimmers allowed to be in the pool at the same time

to observe the rules of safe swimming behavior (no swimming if there is a health problem that can be transmitted to other swimmers, before swimming we go to the toilet and take a shower, passing through the foot disinfection tank before entering the pool, etc.) from the bathers and to be given systematic care by the pool managers, so that they are applied

that water sanitation is carried out correctly and on a continuous and systematic basis

that there are no green algae on the walls of the tank and that the water is clear

the water is at the right temperature

the water has the right pH, i.e. the right "acidity / alkalinity"

to contain the correct amount of free chlorine

to carry out analyzes of the physical, chemical and microbiological parameters of the water and to post them on the wall in public view

Analyzes must be done:

¨ Once a week as determined by the relevant legislation for swimming pools (C1/443/1973).

ANALYSIS OF WATER FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION: MICROBIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF WATER FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

Accredited Laboratories Legislation

According to the Greek Legislation (KYA Y2/2600/2001), the competent water testing laboratories must be accredited (and not Certified – Law 2741, Official Gazette 199/99) and must have a quality system in accordance with the ISO 17025 standard, the and the competent body for the accreditation of the laboratories is the National Accreditation Council (ESYD). Our Laboratories are accredited by the National Accreditation Council (ESYD), according to the ELOT EN ISO/IEC 17025 standard, as a Testing Laboratory (Accreditation Certificate No. 102).

Our laboratories can propose you an integrated drinking water monitoring system in your municipality or business, which can be a standard quality assurance system and will be an application of the conclusions deriving from the study "Organization of the National Network of Quality of Drinking Water in the Country" which was carried out by the former Ministry of Health and Welfare (now Ministry of Health and Welfare) and in its implementation, we had substantial participation. It also relies on and utilizes the extensive experience we have in monitoring municipal water supply networks from all over Greece and includes:

Sampling

Analyzes

On-site Sanitary Inspection of water intake sources (and candidates) as well as water supply systems (networks) throughout the development and up to the final point of consumption, to the greatest extent possible

Conclusion on suitability of water supply

Information and Information System for Citizens

Preparation of a series of proposals - suggestions for short-term, medium-term and long-term water supply policy with the aim of providing sufficient and sanitary water to the consumer.

Speeches - Seminars - Training - Instructions to the organizations involved and their staff with the provision of drinking water in the Municipality.

The Microbiological and Chemical analyzes we carry out meet the requirements of the Legislation.

The control regarding the frequency and size of the samplings will be carried out in consultation with you and will be distributed temporally and geographically according to the particularities of the networks and the scientific processing of the results during the year. To these will be added all the necessary samplings and analyzes (according to the frequency and required parameters) resulting from the requirements of the legislation. In the case of Municipalities, the above control will concern all Municipal Apartments of the Municipality, depending on the population data of the Water Supply Network of each Municipal Apartment.

Sampling and Handling of Water Samples

Trained samplers with special equipment, carry out sampling and ensure the unaltered transfer of the samples to the laboratory.

Experienced scientific staff of our laboratories can provide scientific support and on-site Health Examination.

We are at your disposal to discuss the cost of the above control for all the requirements of the legislation, in relation to meeting the needs for the supply of water for human consumption and to answer your questions about how to implement and implement such a monitoring program.

Legionella

MICROBIOLOGICAL WATER ANALYSIS FOR DETECTION OF LEGIONELLA

1. What is Legionellosis?

It is a type of pneumonia that results in death in about 13 % of people who will be infected by Legionella bacteria (Legionella spp.). These bacteria can also cause a less severe illness (Pontiac fever) that is very similar to typhoid fever. The disease usually develops in 3-6 days, but sometimes it can appear up to 10 days after the person is infected.

Legionella bacteria are found in small numbers in our natural wet environment (lakes, rivers, dams). It can survive in a wide range of temperatures (from 6-60° Celsius). It cannot multiply at temperatures below 20 degrees, while temperatures above 60 °C kill the bacterium. Conversely, at temperatures from 20 °C to 45 °C, it multiplies easily and can colonize cold or hot water systems and infect humans.

2. How can one get sick from legionella?

Breathing air containing the Legionella bacteria in an invisible aerosol (aerosol). This aerosol can come from tiny water droplets formed by a running shower head, from the spout of a common faucet, from a toilet flush, from air bubbles in a spa-jacuzzi.

Instead, they are found in high numbers in poorly maintained water circulation systems.

3. What can we do?

Apply the control procedures for this problem, taking the necessary actions to disinfect and sanitize the hot and cold water circulation systems and

To have certificates of analysis from appropriate and specialized laboratories that confirm that the water has been tested and is safe for legionella.

Furthermore:

To check if the hot water running in our room from the shower and taps is hot enough (55-60 degrees Celsius) with a thermometer if there is one or very carefully not to burn our hand, so we can't hold it for more than a few seconds under water.

To try to smell in the cold water after letting it run for 3-4 minutes of the hour, putting it in a glass, the familiar smell of chlorine (indication that the water is at least chlorinated and thus provides some safety).

When we enter the accommodation, and before using the facilities, let us turn on the taps and let the showers run for several minutes of the hour - both hot and cold water leaving the room for a while, especially if we get the impression that the space does not appear to have been used recently.

Every year hundreds of cases of legionella are recorded throughout the European Union and most often the point of infection is the showers of hotels where tourists stay. Compensation to infected people can amount to several thousand euros.

Our laboratories are accredited by the National Accreditation System (ESYD), according to the ELOT EN ISO/IEC 17025 standard and we perform water analyzes for the detection of Legionella bacteria (Accreditation Field Analysis).

In our Laboratories, Microbiological-Chemical analyzes of water, food and biological cleaning are carried out and we offer competitive prices.

Sampling and analysis are carried out according to:

the European Organization EWGLI (European Working Group for Legionella Infection),

the circular with prot. no. DYG2/oc.70777/12-7-2012 Min. of Health and Welfare/General Directorate of Hygiene ADA: B41GTH-2HX

the sampling rules of the KEDY (Central Laboratory of Public Health)

Analytic Laboratories of Athens S.A.

Analytic Laboratories of Athens S.A.

Analytic Laboratories of Athens S.A.