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In the ASTM F1862 standard, developed by the American Association of Testing and Materials (ASTM), a test method is presented to evaluate the resistance of medical face masks to penetration by the effect of small volume (approximately 2 mL) high-speed synthetic blood flow. The medical face mask's compliance with this standard is based on visual detection of synthetic blood penetration. However, this test method does not apply to all forms and conditions of biological aerosol exposure. While conducting the tests, it is necessary to review all situations for worker exposure and evaluate the suitability of the method for specific applications. The full name of this standard is as follows: ASTM F1862 / F1862M-17 Standard test method for the resistance of medical face masks to penetration by synthetic blood (horizontal projection of constant volume at known speed).
The ASTM F1862 standard primarily addresses the performance of materials or certain material structures used in medical face masks. This test method does not address the performance of the medical face mask's design or construction, or the overall protection it offers, and the way it works, such as filtration efficiency and pressure drop. Regulations for measuring these properties are in ASTM F2101 and MIL-M-36954C standards.
Medical face masks are intended to resist splash and ingress of blood, body fluids and other potentially infectious substances. The main factors affecting the design of the mask are the surface tension, viscosity and polarity of body fluids, as well as the nature and relative hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity of the materials.
In short, this test method provides a test method that evaluates medical face mask resistance to synthetic blood penetration, which is useful in establishing claims for the penetration resistance performance of medical face masks and ranking their performance. However, this test method does not define acceptable penetration resistance levels. Because this determination has to be made by the responsible organizations according to their specific application and conditions. Therefore, when describing the performance of medical face masks, the specific conditions under which the test is performed must be described.
With the experience gained over many years, our organization also provides standard testing services (horizontal projection of fixed volume at known speed) for the resistance of ASTM F1862 / F1862M-17 medical face masks to penetration by synthetic blood, within the framework of laboratory services of the materials with a trained and expert staff. .
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