ASTM D6329-98(2023)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Developing Methodology for Evaluating the Ability of Indoor Materials to Support Microbial Growth Using Static Environmental Chambers
Standard Guide for Developing Methodology for Evaluating the Ability of Indoor Materials to Support Microbial Growth Using Static Environmental Chambers
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The static chambers have several different applications:
4.1.1 The static chambers can be used to compare the susceptibility of different materials to the colonization and amplification of various microorganisms under defined conditions.
4.1.2 Chambers operated at high relative humidities may be used to perform worst case scenario screening tests on materials by providing an atmosphere where environmental conditions may be favorable for microbial growth.
4.1.3 Use of multiple chambers with different environmental parameters, such as a range of relative humidities, permits the evaluation of multiple microenvironments and allows investigation of materials under differing environmental conditions.
4.1.4 Drying requirements for wetted materials may also be investigated. This information may be relevant for determining material resistance to microbial growth after becoming wet. These conditions may simulate those where materials are subjected to water incursion through leaks as well as during remediation of a building after a fire.
4.1.5 Growth rates of microorganisms on the material may also be investigated. Once it has been established that organisms are able to grow on a particular material under defined conditions, investigations into the rate of organism growth may be performed. These evaluations provide base line information and can be used to evaluate methods to limit or contain amplification of microorganisms.
4.2 These techniques should be performed by personnel with training in microbiology. The individual must be competent in the use of sterile technique, which is critical to exclude external contamination of materials.
SCOPE
1.1 Many different types of microorganisms (for example, bacteria, fungi, viruses, algae) can occupy indoor spaces. Materials that support microbial growth are potential indoor sources of biocontaminants (for example, spores and toxins) that can become airborne indoor biopollutants. This guide describes a simple, relatively cost effective approach to evaluating the ability of a variety of materials to support microbial growth using a small chamber method.
1.2 This guide is intended to assist groups in the development of specific test methods for a definite material or groups of materials.
1.3 Static chambers have certain limitations. Usually, only small samples of indoor materials can be evaluated. Care must be taken that these samples are representative of the materials being tested so that a true evaluation of the material is performed.
1.4 Static chambers provide controlled laboratory microenvironment conditions. These chambers are not intended to duplicate room conditions, and care must be taken when interpreting the results. Static chambers are not a substitute for dynamic chambers or field studies.
1.5 A variety of microorganisms, specifically bacteria and fungi, can be evaluated using these chambers. This guide is not intended to provide human health effect data. However, organisms of clinical interest, such as those described as potentially allergenic, may be studied using this approach.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.7 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.
1.8 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
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
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.
Designation: D6329 − 98 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Guide for
Developing Methodology for Evaluating the Ability of Indoor
Materials to Support Microbial Growth Using Static
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Environmental Chambers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6329; 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 responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
1.1 Many different types of microorganisms (for example,
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
bacteria, fungi, viruses, algae) can occupy indoor spaces.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
Materials that support microbial growth are potential indoor
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
sources of biocontaminants (for example, spores and toxins)
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
that can become airborne indoor biopollutants. This guide
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
describes a simple, relatively cost effective approach to evalu-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
ating the ability of a variety of materials to support microbial
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
growth using a small chamber method.
1.2 This guide is intended to assist groups in the develop-
2. Referenced Documents
ment of specific test methods for a definite material or groups
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
of materials.
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
1.3 Static chambers have certain limitations. Usually, only
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
small samples of indoor materials can be evaluated. Care must
Atmospheres
be taken that these samples are representative of the materials
E104 Practice for Maintaining Constant Relative Humidity
being tested so that a true evaluation of the material is
by Means of Aqueous Solutions
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performed.
2.2 APHA Standards:
1.4 Static chambers provide controlled laboratory microen- Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste-
vironment conditions. These chambers are not intended to water
duplicate room conditions, and care must be taken when
3. Terminology
interpreting the results. Static chambers are not a substitute for
dynamic chambers or field studies.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this guide,
refer to Terminology D1356.
1.5 A variety of microorganisms, specifically bacteria and
fungi, can be evaluated using these chambers. This guide is not
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
intended to provide human health effect data. However, organ-
3.2.1 amplification—the act or result of increasing the
isms of clinical interest, such as those described as potentially
quantity of microorganisms.
allergenic, may be studied using this approach.
3.2.2 CFU—colony forming unit, which may arise from a
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
single organism or multiple units, such as spores, in the case of
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
the fungi.
standard.
3.2.3 colony—macroscopically visible growth.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.4 inoculation—the act of introducing a microorganism
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
(inoculum) into the test material.
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This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Quality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.08 on Assessment, contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Sampling, and Analysis of Microorganisms. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2023. Published February 2023. Originally the ASTM website.
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approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D6329 – 98 (2015). Available from American Public Health Association (APHA), 800 I St., NW,
DOI: 10.1520/D6329-98R23. Washington, DC 20001, http://www.apha.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D6329 − 98 (2023)
3.2.5 inoculum—viable test microorganism introduced onto
a material by implanting a small amount on the surface or
substrate.
3.2.6 plate—petri dish containing microbiological
...
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