What is ISO 22612?
ISO 22612:2005 provides a test method for determining the resistance of bacteria-carrying particles to penetration through barrier materials. In accordance with the Agreement on Technical Cooperation between ISO and CEN, ISO 22612 was developed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) in collaboration with Technical Committee ISO/TC 94, Personal safety — Protective clothing and equipment, Subcommittee SC 13, Protective clothing. This EN ISO 22612 standard provides a test method and related equipment for determining a material's resistance to bacteria dry penetration on particles in the size range most commonly seen on human skin scales.
Because of its complexity, ISO 22612:2005 is not recommended for routine quality control, although it may be appropriate when a material is evaluated for compliance with current legislation such as EU Directive 93/42/EEC.
Summary of tests
Resistance to dry microbial penetration, ISO 22612
The capacity of infected particles to travel through materials is determined by dry microbial penetration. Test specimens are placed in a jar with talc infected with 108 colony forming units per gramme (CFU/g) of B. atrophaeus. At the bottom of each container, a sedimentation plate is inserted a short distance below the test specimen. For 30 minutes, the device that supports the containers vibrates at a velocity of around 20,800 rpm. The talc that penetrates the test substance collects on the sedimentation plate, which is removed and incubated after testing.