ASTM E3031-20

Standard Practice for Determination of Antibacterial Activity on Ceramic Surfaces

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Current solid surface test methodologies, such as the Test Method E2180 and ISO 22196, do not take into account the complexities associated with a ceramic surface. This includes, but is not limited to, differing chemistries incorporated into the glaze and desiccation due to water absorption through the bisque body. Each point will be elaborated below:  
5.1.1 The glaze composition of ceramic tiles can vary between manufacturers, lots, and product lines. Some glaze chemistries such as tin, silver and copper can negatively impact the testing conditions. Therefore, an untreated tile from the same lot is not always suitable for comparison. The control tile proposed herein is capable of supporting growth over the indicated time frame and nutrient level (see Section 9).  
5.1.2 Desiccation is a common problem when testing tile surfaces. This can be overcome by pre-hydrating the tile by placing the specimen on a moistened wipe and allowing incubation for 18 to 24 h before beginning the test. This reduces the number of false positive results and more accurately measures the ability of the antimicrobial to inhibit growth.  
5.2 This practice utilizes a low inoculum load and requires growth on the control substrate to demonstrate a valid testing environment. In addition, while some antimicrobials demonstrate activity against static cultures, others require growth of the bacteria to maintain activity. A low inoculum level will allow both types of antimicrobials to be examined with the same testing conditions.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice is designed to quantitatively evaluate the antibacterial activity of glazed ceramic surfaces that have been specifically designed to contain an antibacterial treatment as part of the glaze. This practice is meant to compare the efficacy of one ceramic surface to another ceramic surface using the stated conditions and is not meant to be extrapolated to other conditions.  
1.2 Knowledge of microbiological techniques is required for this practice.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 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: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2020
• ICS: 81.060.20 - Ceramic products
• Technical Committee: E35 - Pesticides, Antimicrobials, and Alternative Control Agents
• Drafting Committee: E35.15 - Antimicrobial Agents

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: E3031 − 20
Standard Practice for
1
Determination of Antibacterial Activity on Ceramic Surfaces
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3031; 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 E2180Test Method for Determining the Activity of Incor-
porated Antimicrobial Agent(s) In Polymeric or Hydro-
1.1 This practice is designed to quantitatively evaluate the
phobic Materials
antibacterialactivityofglazedceramicsurfacesthathavebeen
E2756Terminology Relating toAntimicrobial andAntiviral
specifically designed to contain an antibacterial treatment as
Agents
partoftheglaze.Thispracticeismeanttocomparetheefficacy
3
2.2 ISO Standard:
of one ceramic surface to another ceramic surface using the
ISO 22196Measurement of Antibacterial Activity on Plas-
stated conditions and is not meant to be extrapolated to other
tics and Other Non-porous Surfaces
conditions.
1.2 Knowledge of microbiological techniques is required
3. Terminology
for this practice.
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this practice refer to
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Terminology E2756.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
4. Summary of Practice
standard.
4.1 This practice is used for evaluating the antibacterial
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
effectofantimicrobialsincorporatedintoaceramicglaze.This
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
standard does not seek to imitate all possible real-world
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
scenarios but to provide a standardized practice to compare
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
multipleantimicrobialtechnologiesthatcanbeincorporatedor
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
coatedonaceramicsurface.Theinherentnatureoftheceramic
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
tileallowsfordesiccation;therefore,eachceramicspecimenis
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
equilibrated to the testing environment for 18- 24 h. Once the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
tiles are equilibrated, bacteria are inoculated onto the surface
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
followed by a 24-h exposure time. Bacteria are recovered in a
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
neutralizer broth and enumerated according to a validated
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
method. Log reductions are calculated for a treated versus an
2. Referenced Documents
untreated sample.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5. Significance and Use
E177Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
5.1 Current solid surface test methodologies, such as the
ASTM Test Methods
Test Method E2180 and ISO 22196, do not take into account
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
the complexities associated with a ceramic surface. This
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
includes, but is not limited to, differing chemistries incorpo-
E1054Test Methods for Evaluation of Inactivators of Anti-
rated into the glaze and desiccation due to water absorption
microbial Agents
through the bisque body. Each point will be elaborated below:
5.1.1 The glaze composition of ceramic tiles can vary
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E35 on Pesticides, between manufacturers, lots, and product lines. Some glaze
Antimicrobials, and Alternative Control Agents and is the direct responsibility of
chemistriessuchastin,silverandcoppercannegativelyimpact
Subcommittee E35.15 on Antimicrobial Agents.
the testing conditions. Therefore, an untreated tile from the
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2020. Published October 2020. Originally
samelotisnotalwayssuitableforcomparison.Thecontroltile
approved 2015. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E3031–15. DOI:
10.1520/E3031–20
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
3
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Central Secretariat, BIBC II, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier,
the ASTM website. Geneva, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocke
...

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: E3031 − 15 E3031 − 20
Standard Test Method Practice for
1
Determination of Antibacterial Activity on Ceramic Surfaces
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3031; 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 method is designed to quantitatively evaluate the antibacterial activity of glazed ceramic surfaces that have been
specifically designed to contain an antibacterial treatment as part of the glaze. This test method is meant to compare the efficacy
of one ceramic surface to another ceramic surface using the stated conditions and is not meant to be extrapolated to other
conditions.
1.2 Knowledge of microbiological techniques is required for this test.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
E1054 Test Methods for Evaluation of Inactivators of Antimicrobial Agents
E2180 Test Method for Determining the Activity of Incorporated Antimicrobial Agent(s) In Polymeric or Hydrophobic Materials
E2756 Terminology Relating to Antimicrobial and Antiviral Agents
3
2.2 ISO Standard:
ISO 22196 Measurement of Antibacterial Activity on Plastics and Other Non-porous Surfaces
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method refer to Terminology E2756.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 This test method is used for evaluating the antibacterial effect of antimicrobials incorporated into a ceramic glaze. This
1
This test method practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E35 on Pesticides, Antimicrobials, and Alternative Control Agents and is the direct responsibility
of Subcommittee E35.15 on Antimicrobial Agents.
Current edition approved Oct. 15, 2015Oct. 1, 2020. Published December 2015October 2020. Originally approved 2015. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as
E3031–15. DOI: 10.1520/E3031–1510.1520/E3031–20
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO Central Secretariat, BIBC II, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier, Geneva,
Switzerland, http://www.iso.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E3031 − 20
standard does not seek to imitate all possible real world scenarios but to provide a standardized method to compare multiple
antimicrobial technologies that can be incorporated or coated on a ceramic surface. The inherent nature of the ceramic tile allows
for desiccation, therefore each ceramic specimen is equilibrated to the testing environment for 18- 24 h. Once the tiles are
equilibrated, bacteria are inoculated onto the surface followed by a 24-h exposure time. Bacteria are recovered in a neutralizer
broth and enumerated according to a validated method. Log reductions are calculated for a treated versus an untreated sample.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Current solid surface test methodologies, such as the Test Method E2180 and ISO 22196, do not take into account the
complexities associated with a ceramic surface. This includes, but is not limited to, differing chemistries incorporated into the glaze
and desiccation due to water absorption through the bisque body. Each point will be elaborated below:
5.1.1 The glaze composition of ceramic tiles can vary between manufacturers, lots, and product lines. Some glaze chemistries such
as tin, silver and copper can negatively impact the testing conditions. Therefore, an untreated tile from the same lot is not always
suitable for
...