ASTM D4610-98(2017)

Standard Guide for Determining the Presence of and Removing Microbial (Fungal or Algal) Growth on Paint and Related Coatings

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 Microbial growth is a major cause of discoloration and deterioration of paint films. This guide describes techniques used to distinguish fungi and algae from other surface contaminants.  
3.2 Repainting a surface contaminated with fungi or algae generally causes more rapid infestation of the new paint than repainting a surface from which fungal or algal growth has been removed. In addition, poor adhesion, staining/bleeding, and many other problems may result. This guide describes methods for removing fungal or algal growth prior to repainting.
Note 1: It is extremely important that all steps and notes be read and followed. In particular the washing steps outlined in 5.2.2 and 5.2.4 must be fully carried out, since residual sodium hypochlorite (bleach) can cause many of the same problems, or even loss of coloration after repainting, and residual phosphate detergents can encourage further fungal and algal growth.
Note 2: This procedure is intended for use when recoating the surface. Reports of using this procedure to remove fungi and algae without recoating necessitate inclusion of a warning about the adverse effects of bleach on a coating film. The oxidative effects of bleach can degrade film properties, including particularly the “bleaching” (loss of color) in films containing organic coloring pigments (such as quinacridones, etc.), loss of gloss, chalking, etc. A small patch must be tested prior to use of this procedure for that purpose.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide describes techniques used for determining the presence of fungal or algal growth on paint and related coatings and methods for removal of such growth prior to recoating.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2017
• ICS: 87.040 - Paints and varnishes
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.28 - Biodeterioration

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D4610 − 98 (Reapproved 2017)
Standard Guide for
Determining the Presence of and Removing Microbial
(Fungal or Algal) Growth on Paint and Related Coatings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4610; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.2 Repainting a surface contaminated with fungi or algae
generally causes more rapid infestation of the new paint than
1.1 This guide describes techniques used for determining
repainting a surface from which fungal or algal growth has
the presence of fungal or algal growth on paint and related
been removed. In addition, poor adhesion, staining/bleeding,
coatings and methods for removal of such growth prior to
and many other problems may result. This guide describes
recoating.
methods for removing fungal or algal growth prior to repaint-
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
ing.
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
NOTE 1—It is extremely important that all steps and notes be read and
only.
followed. In particular the washing steps outlined in 5.2.2 and 5.2.4 must
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the befullycarriedout,sinceresidualsodiumhypochlorite(bleach)cancause
many of the same problems, or even loss of coloration after repainting,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
and residual phosphate detergents can encourage further fungal and algal
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
growth.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
NOTE2—Thisprocedureisintendedforusewhenrecoatingthesurface.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Reports of using this procedure to remove fungi and algae without
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- recoating necessitate inclusion of a warning about the adverse effects of
bleach on a coating film. The oxidative effects of bleach can degrade film
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
properties, including particularly the “bleaching” (loss of color) in films
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
containingorganiccoloringpigments(suchasquinacridones,etc.),lossof
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
gloss, chalking, etc. A small patch must be tested prior to use of this
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
procedure for that purpose.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4. Reagents
2. Referenced Documents
4.1 Sodium Hypochlorite, approximately 5 % aqueous
(NaOCl) as commercial household bleach. Because sodium
2.1 ASTM Standards:
hypochlorite decomposes on exposure to heat and sunlight and
D2022Test Methods of Sampling and ChemicalAnalysis of
becomesineffective,useonlyfreshmaterial.SeeTestMethods
Chlorine-Containing Bleaches
D3274Test Method for Evaluating Degree of Surface Dis- D2022 for methods of sampling and chemical analysis.
figurement of Paint Films by Fungal or Algal Growth, or
4.2 Phosphate-Free, non-ammonia-containing detergent or
Soil and Dirt Accumulation
commercial cleaner recommended for washing paint.
3. Significance and Use
5. Procedures
3.1 Microbial growth is a major cause of discoloration and
5.1 DeterminingthePresenceofFungalorAlgalGrowthon
deterioration of paint films. This guide describes techniques
Paint:
used to distinguish fungi and algae from other surface con-
5.1.1 Chemical—Apply a drop of 5% aqueous sodium
taminants.
hypochlorite solution (common household bleach) to the area
suspected of being contaminated with fungal or algal growth.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and
Fungal or algal discoloration will normally bleach within 60 s.
Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
Discoloration that does not bleach is probably dirt. For further
Subcommittee D01.28 on Biodeterioration.
confirmation do visual and subculture tests.
Current edit
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This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D4610 − 98 (Reapproved 2013) D4610 − 98 (Reapproved 2017)
Standard Guide for
Determining the Presence of and Removing Microbial
(Fungal or Algal) Growth on Paint and Related Coatings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4610; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
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.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide describes techniques used for determining the presence of fungal or algal growth on paint and related coatings
and methods for removal of such growth prior to recoating.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D2022 Test Methods of Sampling and Chemical Analysis of Chlorine-Containing Bleaches
D3274 Test Method for Evaluating Degree of Surface Disfigurement of Paint Films by Fungal or Algal Growth, or Soil and Dirt
Accumulation
3. Significance and Use
3.1 Microbial growth is a major cause of discoloration and deterioration of paint films. This guide describes techniques used
to distinguish fungi and algae from other surface contaminants.
3.2 Repainting a surface contaminated with fungi or algae generally causes more rapid infestation of the new paint than
repainting a surface from which fungal or algal growth has been removed. In addition, poor adhesion, staining/bleeding, and many
other problems may result. This guide describes methods for removing fungal or algal growth prior to repainting.
NOTE 1—It is extremely important that all steps and notes be read and followed. In particular the washing steps outlined in 5.2.2 and 5.2.4 must be
fully carried out, since residual sodium hypochlorite (bleach) can cause many of the same problems, or even loss of coloration after repainting, and
residual phosphate detergents can encourage further fungal and algal growth.
NOTE 2—This procedure is intended for use when recoating the surface. Reports of using this procedure to remove fungi and algae without recoating
necessitate inclusion of a warning about the adverse effects of bleach on a coating film. The oxidative effects of bleach can degrade film properties,
including particularly the “bleaching” (loss of color) in films containing organic coloring pigments (such as quinacridones, etc.), loss of gloss, chalking,
etc. A small patch must be tested prior to use of this procedure for that purpose.
4. Reagents
4.1 Sodium Hypochlorite, approximately 5 % aqueous (NaOCl) as commercial household bleach. Because sodium hypochlorite
decomposes on exposure to heat and sunlight and becomes ineffective, use only fresh material. See Test Methods D2022 for
methods of sampling and chemical analysis.
4.2 Phosphate-Free, non-ammonia-containing detergent or commercial cleaner recommended for washing paint.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D01.28 on Biodeterioration.
Current edition approved June 1, 2013Dec. 1, 2017. Published June 2013December 2017. Originally approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 20092013 as
D4610 – 98 (2009).(2013). DOI: 10.1520/D4610-98R13.10.1520/D4610-98R17.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or conta
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