Standard Test Method for Microbial Ranking of Porous Packaging Materials (Exposure Chamber Method)

1.1 This test method is used to determine the passage of airborne bacteria through porous materials intended for use in packaging sterile medical devices. This test method is designed to test materials under conditions that result in the detectable passage of bacterial spores through the test material.

1.1.1 A round-robin study was conducted with eleven laboratories participating. Each laboratory tested duplicate samples of six commercially available porous materials to determine the LRV. Materials tested under the standard conditions described in this test method returned average values that range from LRV 1.7 to 4.3.

1.1.2 Results of this round-robin study indicate that caution should be used when comparing test data and ranking materials, especially when a small number of sample replicates are used. In addition, further collaborative work (such as described in Practice E691) should be conducted before this test method would be condsidered adequate for purposes of setting performance standards.

1.2 This test method requires manipulation of microorganisms and should be performed only by trained personnel. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services publication Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (CDC/NIH-HHS Publication No. 84-8395) should be consulted for guidance.

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.