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ATP Testing
measurementA rapid verification method that measures adenosine triphosphate to estimate surface bioburden.
Definition
ATP is present in all living cells and organic residues. Swab-and-luminometer testing converts ATP into a Relative Light Unit (RLU) reading in about 15 seconds.
Why it matters
ATP testing verifies cleaning effectiveness objectively. Visual inspection catches soil; ATP catches invisible organic residue that supports microbial growth.
Practical applications
Establish RLU pass/fail thresholds per surface type. Audit high-touch points after each cleaning cycle and trend results by shift and location.
Related terms
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