Sterile Sponge Stick for Reliable Surface Sampling in Controlled Environments
The 3M sterile sponge stick with 10 mL D/E Neutralizing Broth is designed for accurate and hygienic sample collection in cleanrooms, food safety, and pharmaceutical settings. Packaged in a ready-to-use 3M Sample Bag, this sponge stick with neutralizing buffer minimizes handling, reduces waste, and ensures sample integrity from collection to transport.
The 1.5" × 3" biocide-free cellulose sponge is securely mounted to a stick, allowing users to safely access hard-to-reach areas like drains, pipes, and around equipment without direct contact. This cleaning sponge on stick design includes a thumb-stop to prevent accidental contamination. Once sampling is complete, the stick can be snapped off easily, leaving the sponge sealed inside the 30 oz (0.89 L) sample bag for safe transport to the lab.
Gamma-irradiated and ISO 9001:2008 certified, the pre-hydrated sponge is moistened with D/E Neutralizing Broth—an advanced formulation developed by Dey and Engley. This broth neutralizes a wide range of disinfectants and preservatives, including quaternary ammonium compounds, chlorine, phenolics, iodine, and aldehydes. Unlike traditional neutralizing media, D/E Broth handles higher concentrations of residual antimicrobials, making it ideal for environments with aggressive cleaning protocols.
3M’s sterile sponge stick supports HACCP-based food safety systems by providing a reliable and easy-to-use tool for identifying microbial contamination. Whether you're conducting routine environmental monitoring or validating cleaning processes, this sponge stick offers the precision, portability, and contamination control needed for critical environments.