ASTM_E_2966_-_14.pdf

Designation:E296614Standard Test Method forQuantitative Assessment of Sanitizing Solutions for Carpet1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2966;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 This test method is designed to evaluate quantitativelythe antibacterial and antifungal activity of solutions for sani-tizing carpets.1.2 Efficacy is reported as the log reduction in viablebacteria and fungi.1.3 The bacteria used in the test are Staphylococcus aureus,Enterobacter aerogenes,and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Themold used is Aspergillus brasiliensis.1.4 Knowledge of microbiological techniques is requiredfor this test method.1.5 UnitsThe values stated in SI units are to be regardedas standard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.6 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:2E1054 Test Methods for Evaluation of Inactivators of Anti-microbial AgentsE2471 Test Method for Using Seeded-Agar for the Screen-ing Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity In Carpets3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 carpet cleaner/sanitizer,nsolution that cleans em-bedded soil from the carpet fiber and reduces biocontaminantlevels on carpet when applied at the recommended dilution andcontact time specified on the product label.3.1.2 carpet sanitizer,nchemical solution that reducesbiocontaminant levels on carpet when applied at the recom-mended dilution and contact time specified on the productlabel.3.1.3 sanitizer,nchemical or physical agent(s)used toreduce the number of microorganisms to a level judged to beappropriate for a defined purpose and/or claim.3.1.3.1 DiscussionThe US EPA regulates sanitizers usedon porous and non-porous surfaces.EPA 810 Guidelinesprovide a description of each category,the required testmethod,test conditions,and performance criteria.EPA810.2400(f)describes requirements for testing carpet sanitiz-ers.33.1.3.2 DiscussionIn the context of this method effectivesanitization reduces the number of microorganisms to levelsconsidered safe as determined by public health codes orregulations.3.1.4 vacuum extraction unit,nmachine for deep cleaningcarpet that delivers a spray of cleaning solution,provides brushagitation of the pile,and recovers soil and cleaning solutionunder vacuum.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 In this test method,the efficacy of solutions intended tohave a sanitizing effect on carpet are quantitatively evaluated.Carpet sample coupons are cut from a larger field of carpet andre-embedded within the field.The carpet coupons are inocu-lated with microorganisms followed by a drying period.Afterthe inoculum-drying period,the sanitizing solution is appliedto the carpet coupons followed by scrubbing.Additional carpetcoupons are spray treated and scrubbed with a inert solution.After the chemical contact period,carpet coupons are asepti-cally removed and placed into neutralizing broth.Each neu-tralizing broth with carpet coupon is placed into a ultrasonicbath for 1 min followed by 1 min of wrist action shaking.Serialdilutions are performed on each sample followed by plating(pour or spread plates or other standard for enumerating viablecells).Log reduction of the viable cell counts recovered from“scrubbed-controls”versus viable cell counts recovered fromthe sanitizer-treated carpets are recorded.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E35 onPesticides,Antimicrobials,and Alternative Control Agents and is the directresponsibility of Subcommittee E35.15 on Antimicrobial Agents.Current edition approved May 15,2014.Published June 2014.DOI:10.1520/E2966142For 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.3http:/www.epa.gov/ocspp/pubs/frs/publications/Test_Guidelines/series810.htmCopyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 5.Significance and Use5.1 Carpet,when exposed to the environment or foot traffic,accumulates soil and biocontaminants during its in-service life.While routine vacuuming may effectively remove dry particu-late soils,it has a limited effect on removing or killingaccumulated and embedded biocontaminants.In this testmethod,steps are described to assess test substances for theability to sanitize carpet.5.2 This test method compares an inert control solution to asanitizing test solution for t