ASTM_F_1671_-_F_1671M_-_13.pdf

Designation:F1671/F1671M13Standard Test Method forResistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing toPenetration by Blood-Borne Pathogens Using Phi-X174Bacteriophage Penetration as a Test System1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1671/F1671M;the number immediately following the designation indicates the yearof original adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A superscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.INTRODUCTIONWorkers,primarily those in the health care profession,involved in treating and caring forindividuals injured or sick,can be exposed to biological liquids capable of transmitting disease.Thesediseases,which may be caused by a variety of microorganisms,can pose significant risks to life andhealth.This is especially true of blood-borne viruses which cause Hepatitis(Hepatitis B Virus(HBV)and Hepatitis C Virus(HCV)and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome(AIDS)(HumanImmunodeficiency Virus(HIV).Since engineering controls can not eliminate all possible exposures,attention is placed on reducing the potential of direct skin contact through the use of protectiveclothing that resists penetration(29 CFR Part 1910.1030).This test method was developed to assessthe effectiveness of materials used in protective clothing for protecting the wearer against contact withblood-borne pathogens using a surrogate microbe suspended in a body fluid simulant under conditionsof continuous contact.1.Scope1.1 This test method is used to measure the resistance ofmaterials used in protective clothing to penetration by blood-borne pathogens using a surrogate microbe under conditions ofcontinuous liquid contact.Protective clothing material pass/faildeterminations are based on the detection of viral penetration.1.1.1 This test method is not always effective in testingprotective clothing materials having thick,inner liners whichreadily absorb the liquid assay fluid.1.2 This test method does not apply to all forms or condi-tions of blood-borne pathogen exposure.Users of the testmethod should review modes for worker/clothing exposure andassess the appropriateness of this test method for their specificapplications.1.3 This test method has been specifically defined formodeling the viral penetration of Hepatitis(B and C)andHuman Immunodeficiency Viruses transmitted in blood andother potentially infectious body fluids.Inferences for protec-tion from other pathogens must be assessed on a case-by-casebasis.1.4 This test method addresses only the performance ofmaterials or certain material constructions(for example,seams)used in protective clothing and determined to be viralresistant.This test method does not address the design,overallconstruction and components,or interfaces of garments orother factors which may affect the overall protection offered bythe protective clothing.1.5 The values stated in SI units or in other units shall beregarded separately as standard.The values stated in eachsystem must be used independently of the other,withoutcombining values in any way.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:2D1331 Test Methods for Surface and Interfacial Tension ofSolutions of Paints,Solvents,Solutions of Surface-ActiveAgents,and Related Materials1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F23 on PersonalProtective Clothing and Equipment and is the direct responsibility of SubcommitteeF23.40 on Biological.Current edition approved May 1,2013.Published June 2013.Originallyapproved in 1995.Last previous edition approved in 2007 as F1671 07.DOI:10.1520/F1671_F1671M-13.2For 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.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 D1777 Test Method for Thickness of Textile MaterialsD3776 Test Methods for Mass Per Unit Area(Weight)ofFabricD3862 Test Method for Retention Characteristics of 0.2-mMembrane Filters Used in Routine Filtration Proceduresfor the Evaluation of Microbiological Water QualityE105 Practice for Probability Sampling of MaterialsE171 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Flexible BarrierPackagingF903 Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used inProtective Clothing to Penetration by LiquidsF1670 Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used inProtective Clothing to Penetration by Synthetic Blood2.2 Military Standard:MIL-STD-105 Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspec-tion by Attributes32.3 ANSI/ASQC Standard:A