ASTM D4610-98(2004)

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

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
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.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2004
• ICS: 87.040 - Paints and varnishes
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.28 - Biodeterioration

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4610-98 - Standard Guide for Determining the Presence of and Removing Microbial (Fungal or Algal) Growth on Paint and Related Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2004
• Replaced By: ASTM D4610-98(2009) - Standard Guide for Determining the Presence of and Removing Microbial (Fungal or Algal) Growth on Paint and Related Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D5498-12a(2018) - Standard Guide for Developing a Training Program for Personnel Performing Coating and Lining Work Inspection for Nuclear Facilities
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2004
• Referred By: ASTM D3274-09(2021) - Standard Test Method for Evaluating Degree of Surface Disfigurement of Paint Films by Fungal or Algal Growth, or Soil and Dirt Accumulation
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2004

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(Reapproved2004)
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 D 4610; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
NOTE 1—It is extremely important that all steps and notes be read and
1. Scope
followed. In particular the washing steps outlined in 5.2.2 and 5.2.4 must
1.1 This guide describes techniques used for determining
be fully carried out, since residual sodium hypochlorite (bleach) can cause
the presence of fungal or algal growth on paint and related
many of the same problems, or even loss of coloration after repainting,
coatings and methods for removal of such growth prior to
and residual phosphate detergents can encourage further fungal and algal
recoating. growth.
NOTE 2—Thisprocedureisintendedforusewhenrecoatingthesurface.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
Reports of using this procedure to remove fungi and algae without
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
recoating necessitate inclusion of a warning about the adverse effects of
only.
bleach on a coating film. The oxidative effects of bleach can degrade film
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
properties, including particularly the “bleaching” (loss of color) in films
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
containing organic coloring pigments (such as quinacridones, etc.), loss of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
gloss, chalking, etc. A small patch must be tested prior to use of this
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- procedure for that purpose.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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
D 2022 Test Methods of Sampling and Chemical Analysis
becomes ineffective, use only fresh material. See Test Methods
of Chlorine-Containing Bleaches
D 2022 for methods of sampling and chemical analysis.
D 3274 Test Method for Evaluating Degree of Surface
4.2 Phosphate-Free, non-ammonia-containing detergent or
Disfigurement of Paint Films by Microbial (Fungal or
commercial cleaner recommended for washing paint.
Algal) Growth or Soil and Dirt Accumulation
5. Procedures
3. Significance and Use
5.1 DeterminingthePresenceofFungalorAlgalGrowthon
3.1 Microbial growth is a major cause of discoloration and
Paint:
deterioration of paint films. This guide describes techniques
5.1.1 Chemical—Apply a drop of 5 % aqueous sodium
used to distinguish fungi and algae from other surface con-
hypochlorite solution (common household bleach) to the area
taminants.
suspected of being contaminated with fungal or algal growth.
3.2 Repainting a surface contaminated with fungi or algae
Fungal or algal discoloration will normally bleach within 60 s.
generally causes more rapid infestation of the new paint than
Discoloration that does not bleach is probably dirt. For further
repainting a surface from which fungal or algal growth has
confirmation do visual and subculture tests.
been removed. In addition, poor adhesion, staining/bleeding,
5.1.2 The following procedures should preferably be used
and many other problems may result. This guide describes
by persons who have had basic microbiological training:
methods for removing fungal or algal growth prior to repaint-
5.1.2.1 Visual—Examine the surface using magnification
ing.
from 10 to 1003 to distinguish among fungal, algal, or dirt
disfigurement in accor
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