Standard Guide for Use of Standard Test Methods and Practices for Evaluating Antibacterial Activity on Textiles

Importancia y uso:

4.1 Antimicrobial agents are routinely used for treating textile materials for the reduction of biodeterioration and bacterial odor generation. Furthermore, textiles are treated to prevent or limit microbial cross-contamination in healthcare settings.

4.2 Antimicrobial agents used in textiles will vary with regard to their broad-spectrum effectiveness, biostatic/biocidal properties, and binding properties in or on particular substrates. When selecting antibacterial test methods as the sole means to predict end use behavior it is critical to understand the intended end use conditions of the treated articles.

4.3 Textile materials differ with regard to the knit/weave, fabric composition, and added functional feature (for example, water repellent, flame retardant, softener, whitener). Each of these factors may alter test results within a given method.

4.4 The test methods indicated below differ mainly in the procedure for inoculating samples, levels of nutrients in the bacterial challenge, organisms used, exposure times, and procedure for sterilization of test samples. Each of these parameters are often subject to industry modifications.

4.5 Some antimicrobial treated articles are not suitable for sterilization due to the sensitivity of these antimicrobial agents to high temperature and humidity. Furthermore, some antimicrobial agents may be unrealistically activated due to UV sterilization which could show false positive antimicrobial properties. Sterilization of test fabrics prior to testing should be avoided if possible. All modifications of the methods indicated below should be clearly indicated on associated test reports and should be appropriate to the antimicrobial technology used.

4.6 This guide is intended to review each commonly used industry test standard for its applicability with an understanding of each of the factors listed above. Further, it is the intention of this guide to indicate commonly used and generally accepted modifications of each standard when measuring specific end-use functionalities.

4.7 These test standards are not, in themselves, absolute indicators of real life performance. Such performance criteria are developed based on a series of antimicrobial and analytical test methods in addition to simulated real life use studies. All antimicrobial agents used for the treatment of textiles should be compliant with local regulatory agencies and should be deemed safe for the proposed end-use and claims.

Subcomité:

E35.15

Referida por:

E3162-18, E2149-20, E3160-18

Volúmen:

11.08

Número ICS:

59.080.01 (Textiles in general)

Palabras clave:

antimicrobial; antibacterial; anti-odor; bioconversion; cross-linked; immobilized; inoculum bioload; leaching; migrating; neutralizer; non-leaching; textiles and textile surfaces;