ASTM E2458-06
(Practice)Standard Practices for Bulk Sample Collection and Swab Sample Collection of Visible Powders Suspected of Being Biological Agents from Nonporous Surfaces
Standard Practices for Bulk Sample Collection and Swab Sample Collection of Visible Powders Suspected of Being Biological Agents from Nonporous Surfaces
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Prior to these practices, there have been no validated standard methods by ASTM for collecting, packaging, and transporting suspicious visible powder samples that are suspected biological agents. Successful collection of a bulk powder material from a nonporous surface using a sterile swab and laminated card as the collection devices to move the material into a container will depend on the following factors: (1) amount of visible powder; (2) sample composition; (3) choice of collection device; (4) size and shape of the collection container; (5) ability of the powder to become aerosolized; (6) texture and porosity of the surface; and (7) humidity.
Similarly, prior to these practices, there have been no validated standard methods for sampling suspicious visible powders for on-site analysis, although wipe and swab sampling are often employed in the field. Collecting powder samples from nonporous surfaces using a sterile moistened swab will result in variable success, depending on the following factors: (1) swabbing procedure; (2) swab material; (3) sample composition; and (4) texture of the surface.
These practices standardize suspicious powder collection and packaging procedures and swab sampling procedures in order to reduce exposure risk, to reduce variability associated with sample handling and sample analysis, and to increase reliability of sampling visible powders from nonporous surfaces.
SCOPE
1.1 These practices address collection of visible powders that are suspected biological agents from solid nonporous surfaces using a bulk collection method, using a dry swab and laminated card, followed by a swab sampling method using a sterile moistened swab. Bulk powder samples are collected and packaged in a manner that permits them to be safely transported to an approved laboratory within the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Laboratory Response Network (LRN) for safe storage, confirmatory analysis, and forensic testing. If the source of the powder is a letter or small package, the source is also packaged in a manner that permits it to be safely transported to the laboratory in the CDC Laboratory Response Network. Swab samples taken using a sterile moistened swab are used to collect residual powder and may be used for on-site screening and presumptive testing (biological screening).
1.2 These practices are performed after a risk assessment is conducted and a visible powder is deemed a credible biological threat.
1.3 Sample Collection Method A covers the bulk collection and packaging of suspicious visible powders that are suspected biological agents from solid nonporous surfaces.
1.4 Sample Collection Method B covers swab sampling of residual suspicious powders that are suspected biological agents from solid nonporous surfaces. Swab samples can be used for on-site screening and presumptive testing (biological screening). These presumptive tests are either confirmed or not confirmed by additional testing at the laboratory in the CDC Laboratory Response Network using samples collected in Sample Collection Method A.
1.5 These practices incorporate reference guidance for packaging and transport of suspicious visible powders to comply with all appropriate federal regulations regarding biosafety and biosecurity.
1.6 These practices should only be used to collect visible samples that are suspected biological hazards and have been screened according to reference guidance for explosive hazard, radiological hazard, and other acute chemical hazards.
1.7 The bulk sample collection practice and the swab sampling practice are recommended for collecting amassed or dispersed powder samples from all nonporous surfaces on which the suspicious powder sample is clearly visible.
1.8 These practices are not recommended for samples on porous materials such as upholstery, carpeting, air filters, or ceiling tiles.
1.9 These practices are recommended for collecting visible powders where the bulk of the powder s...
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Designation:E2458–06
Standard Practices for
Bulk Sample Collection and Swab Sample Collection of
Visible Powders Suspected of Being Biological Agents from
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Nonporous Surfaces
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2458; 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 Laboratory Response Network using samples collected in
Sample Collection Method A.
1.1 These practices address collection of visible powders
1.5 These practices incorporate reference guidance for
that are suspected biological agents from solid nonporous
packaging and transport of suspicious visible powders to
surfaces using a bulk collection method, using a dry swab and
comply with all appropriate federal regulations regarding
laminated card, followed by a swab sampling method using a
biosafety and biosecurity.
sterile moistened swab. Bulk powder samples are collected and
1.6 These practices should only be used to collect visible
packaged in a manner that permits them to be safely trans-
samples that are suspected biological hazards and have been
ported to an approved laboratory within the Center for Disease
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screened according to reference guidance for explosive hazard,
Control (CDC) Laboratory Response Network (LRN) for safe
radiological hazard, and other acute chemical hazards.
storage, confirmatory analysis, and forensic testing. If the
1.7 The bulk sample collection practice and the swab
source of the powder is a letter or small package, the source is
sampling practice are recommended for collecting amassed or
also packaged in a manner that permits it to be safely
dispersed powder samples from all nonporous surfaces on
transported to the laboratory in the CDC Laboratory Response
which the suspicious powder sample is clearly visible.
Network. Swab samples taken using a sterile moistened swab
1.8 These practices are not recommended for samples on
are used to collect residual powder and may be used for on-site
porous materials such as upholstery, carpeting, air filters, or
screening and presumptive testing (biological screening).
ceiling tiles.
1.2 These practices are performed after a risk assessment is
1.9 These practices are recommended for collecting visible
conductedandavisiblepowderisdeemedacrediblebiological
powders where the bulk of the powder sample is amassed or
threat.
dispersed over a limited area (optimally, area should be less
1.3 Sample Collection Method A covers the bulk collection
than 20 by 20 cm (approximately 8 by 8 in.) or 400
and packaging of suspicious visible powders that are suspected
2 2
cm (approximately 64 in. ).
biological agents from solid nonporous surfaces.
1.10 These practices are to be performed by personnel who
1.4 Sample Collection Method B covers swab sampling of
are adequately trained to work with hazardous materials in the
residual suspicious powders that are suspected biological
hot zone (see NFPA 471, NFPA 472, or OSHA 1910.120).
agents from solid nonporous surfaces. Swab samples can be
Personnel performing collection or screening under these
used for on-site screening and presumptive testing (biological
practices shall be adequately trained in the use of sampling
screening).These presumptive tests are either confirmed or not
equipment, materials, and procedures. This includes personnel
confirmed by additional testing at the laboratory in the CDC
performing the prior initial chemical and radiological screen-
ing. Personnel should use appropriate level of personal protec-
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These practices are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E54 on
tive equipment (PPE) to mitigate hazards during collection and
Homeland Security Applications and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
screening.
E54.01 on CBRNE Sensors and Detectors.
1.11 Committee E54 gratefully acknowledges the Sampling
Current edition approved June 1, 2006. Published June 2006. DOI: 10.1520/
E2458-06.
Standards Task Group of AOAC International as co-leaders
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The CDC Laboratory Response Network is the US national response network
with ASTM in the standard’s development and adoption, and
responsible for handling all samples of suspected biological agents. A plan for
joins them in inviting the collaboration of all stakeholders in
restructuring of the US national response network into a broader consortium of
regard to the evolution of the document.
laboratories is ongoing in 2006.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E2458–06
1.12 The values stated in SI units are to be re
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