ASTM_D_6329_-_98_2015.pdf

Designation:D632998(Reapproved 2015)Standard Guide forDeveloping Methodology for Evaluating the Ability of IndoorMaterials to Support Microbial Growth Using StaticEnvironmental Chambers1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6329;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 Many different types of microorganisms(for example,bacteria,fungi,viruses,algae)can occupy indoor spaces.Materials that support microbial growth are potential indoorsources of biocontaminants(for example,spores and toxins)that can become airborne indoor biopollutants.This guidedescribes a simple,relatively cost effective approach to evalu-ating the ability of a variety of materials to support microbialgrowth using a small chamber method.1.2 This guide is intended to assist groups in the develop-ment of specific test methods for a definite material or groupsof materials.1.3 Static chambers have certain limitations.Usually,onlysmall samples of indoor materials can be evaluated.Care mustbe taken that these samples are representative of the materialsbeing tested so that a true evaluation of the material isperformed.1.4 Static chambers provide controlled laboratory microen-vironment conditions.These chambers are not intended toduplicate room conditions,and care must be taken wheninterpreting the results.Static chambers are not a substitute fordynamic chambers or field studies.1.5 A variety of microorganisms,specifically bacteria andfungi,can be evaluated using these chambers.This guide is notintended to provide human health effect data.However,organ-isms of clinical interest,such as those described as potentiallyallergenic,may be studied using this approach.1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D1193 Specification for Reagent WaterD1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis ofAtmospheresE104 Practice for Maintaining Constant Relative Humidityby Means of Aqueous Solutions2.2 APHA Standards:3Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste-water3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsFor definitions of terms used in this guide,refer to Terminology D1356.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 amplificationthe act or result of increasing thequantity of microorganisms.3.2.2 CFUcolony forming unit,which may arise from asingle organism or multiple units,such as spores,in the case ofthe fungi.3.2.3 colonymacroscopically visible growth.3.2.4 inoculationthe act of introducing a microorganism(inoculum)into the test material.3.2.5 inoculumviable test microorganism introduced ontoa material by implanting a small amount on the surface orsubstrate.3.2.6 platepetri dish containing microbiological agar me-dia on which microorganism are grown.1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on AirQuality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.08 on Sampling andAnalysis of Mold.Current edition approved July 1,2015.Published July 2015.Originally approvedin 1998.Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D6329 98(2008).DOI:10.1520/D6329-98R15.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3Available from American Public Health Association(APHA),800 I St.,NW,Washington,DC 20001,http:/www.apha.org.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 3.2.7 static chambera small chamber(enclosed space)with no internal forced air motion.3.2.8 susceptibilitythe vulnerability of a material or sur-face to colonization by microorganisms.4.Significance and Use4.1 The static chambers have several different applications:4.1.1 The static chambers can be used to compare thesusceptibility of different materials to the colonization andamplification of various microorganisms under defined condi-tions.4.1.2 Chambers operated at high relative humidities may beused to perform worst case scenario screening tests on mate-rials by providing an atmosphere where environmental condi-tions may be favorable for microbial growth.4.1.3 Use of multiple chambers with different environmen-tal parameters,such as a range of relative humidities,permitsthe evaluation of multiple microenvironments and allowsinvestigation of materials under differin