ASTM approves chemical permeation testing standard
Computer software takes seconds to perform calculations
ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials) has approved a new standard for chemical permeation testing that uses a computer program to calculate parameters.
ASTM F2815, Practice for Chemical Permeation Through Protective Clothing Materials: Testing Data Analysis by Use of a Computer Program, has been developed by Subcommittee F23.30 on Chemicals, part of ASTM International Committee F23 on Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment.
The National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health developed the software.
“Data analyses for permeation testing of chemical protective clothing are performed in different manners, such as hand calculation or in-house developed methodologies,” says Pengfei Gao, research physical scientist, National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, NIOSH, and an F23 member.
“It was found that the differences in hand calculation of breakthrough time could be up to 25% or more, raising a question if a clothing item can be worn for eight hours or less than six hours before skin is harmed from hazardous chemicals.”
Gao also says the calculations of some permeation parameters, such as standardised breakthrough time and cumulative permeation for an open-loop test, are mathematically complex and time-consuming without a computer program.
The new software provides a user-friendly tool for data analysis. After importing a permeation data file, the program asks the user to enter required variables and information. Once variables are entered, the program accurately calculates all the permeation parameters related to the following:
- ASTM F739, Test Method for Permeation of Liquids and Gases Through Protective Clothing Materials Under Conditions of Continuous Contact;
- ISO 6529, Protective Clothing — Protection Against Chemicals — Determination of Resistance of Protective Clothing Material to Permeation by Liquids and Gases; and
- ASTM D6978, Practice for Assessment of Resistance of Medical Gloves to Permeation by Chemotherapy Drugs (if applicable).
It takes seconds rather than hours to perform these calculations, with results presented with relevant information and the permeation curve in a report file.
Gao says F2815 not only allows protective clothing manufacturers to inform their customers about the permeation parameters of their products in a consistent manner, but will also help diagnostic laboratories and research centres involved in chemical protective clothing testing.