The Surface ATP Swab is a stand-alone device for use with a handheld ATP biofluorescence detector. It is used to monitor thesanitary conditions on the surfaces of processing units and various other industrial environments. The system works by measuring adenosine triphosphate (ATP), an energy molecule commonly found in the cells of all animals, plants, bacteria, yeast and molds. ATP is contained in organic products left on surfaces. microbial contamination of surfaces contains ATP, but usually in small amounts.