Swabs

A tool used to collect adhered residue from a surface

Swab is defined in the ISPE Guide: Cleaning Validation Lifecycle - Applications, Methods & Controls as a, "Sampling tool that comprises a textile, fiber or foam, on the end of a moderately flexible handle. Swabs are typically saturated in an extraction solvent then used to sample a pre-defined area using a written technique to ensure consistency between operators. The swab technique typically has an associated qualification program. The swab head is then submerged in a vial containing the extraction solvent, sealed, and set to the lab for analysis.