Jul 26, 2016

Subcommittee E35.15 on Antimicrobial Agents is responsible for more than 50 ASTM standards that are used for testing antimicrobial treated articles as well as topical antimicrobials and disinfectants versus bacteria, fungi and viruses. The subcommittee is part of ASTM International Committee E35 on Pesticides and Alternative Control Agents.

One of the most widely used of E35.15 standards, E2149, Test Method for Determining the Antimicrobial Activity of Immobilized Antimicrobial Agents Under Dynamic Contact Conditions, has recently been revised. E2149 is used to measure the direct antimicrobial activity of materials (for example, textiles and hard surfaces) treated with durable, non-leaching antimicrobial agents. This revision provides a more reproducible and reliable method consistent with other microbiological standards within E35.15.

"E2149 is a fast, reliable screening tool that can be used either during the development of a treated product or for routine quality control during production of articles treated with proven nonleaching antimicrobial agents," says Robert Monticello, vice president and chief technology officer, AEGIS Environments, and a member of E35.15.

Primary users of E2149 are companies that must validate the antimicrobial performance of their products as well as textile mills and brands that must provide evidence of application of a required dosage and validate the continued expected performance.

E35.15 is looking for microbiological laboratories to participate in interlaboratory testing using E2149 to be initiated this fall.

The subcommittee has several proposed standards under development. All interested parties are invited to participate in E35.15's activities.To purchase ASTM standards, visit www.astm.org and search by the standard designation number, or contact ASTM Customer Relations (phone: 610-832-9585).

CONTACT Technical Information: Robert Monticello, AEGIS Environmental Management • Midland, Mich. • Phone: 989-832-8180 • E-mail: rmonticello@microbeshield.com O ASTM Staff: Jennifer Rodgers • Phone: 610-832-9694 • E-mail: jrodgers@astm.org O Upcoming Meeting: Oct. 11-14 • October Committee Week • San Antonio, Texas

Dynamic contact between fabric samples and bacteria is forced using Burrell wrist action shakers.