ASTM E3025-22

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 Natural and manufactured textiles fibers can be treated with chemicals to provide enhanced antimicrobial (fungi, bacteria, viruses) properties. In some cases, silver nanomaterials may be used to treat textile fibers (1).6 Silver nanomaterials are used to treat a wide array of consumer textile products, including, but not limited to, various clothing; primary garments (shirts, pants), outer wear (gloves, jackets), inner wear (socks and underwear), children’s clothing (sleepwear); children’s plush toys; bath towels and bedding (sheets, pillows); and medical devices (for example, wound dressings and face masks) (2). 4.2 There are many different chemical and physical forms of silver that are used to treat textiles and an overview of this topic is provided in Appendix X1. 4.3 Several applicable techniques for detection and characterization of silver are listed and described in Appendix X2 so that users of this guide may understand the suitability of a particular technique for their specific textile and silver measurement need. 4.4 There are many different reasons to assay for silver nanomaterials in a textile at any point in a product’s life cycle. For example, a producer may want to verify that a textile meets their internal quality control specifications or a regulator may want to understand the properties of silver nanomaterials used to make a consumer textile product under their jurisdiction or what quantity of silver nanomaterial is potentially available for release from the treated textile during the washing process or during product use. Regardless of the specific reason, a structured approach to detect and characterize silver nanomaterials present in a textile will facilitate measurements and data comparison. Detection and characterterization of silver in textiles is one component of an overall risk assessment. 4.5 The approach presented in this guide (see Fig. 1) consists of three sequential tiers: obtain a textile sample (Section 7), detection o... SCOPE 1.1 This guide covers the use of a tiered approach for detection and characterization of silver nanomaterials in consumer textile products, which can include some medical devices (for example, wound dressings or face masks), made of any combination of natural or manufactured fibers. 1.2 This guide covers, but is not limited to, fabrics and parts (for example, thread, batting) used during the manufacture of textiles and production of consumer textile products that may contain silver-based nanomaterials. It does not apply to analysis of silver nanomaterials in non-consumer textile product matrices nor does it cover thin film silver coatings with only one dimension in the nanoscale. 1.3 This guide is intended to serve as a resource for manufacturers, producers, analysts, policymakers, regulators, and others with an interest in textiles. 1.4 This guide is presented in the specific context of measurement of silver nanomaterials; however, the structured approach described herein is applicable to other nanomaterials in consumer textile products, including some medical devices. 1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.6 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. 1.7 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.