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A proposed new ASTM International standard will help emergency responders develop succinct, usable emergency response guidance in the event of a radiological event, which may include an intentional release or an attack involving a radiological dispersal device (also known as a “dirty bomb”). The proposed standard, WK7020 , Guide for the Development of a Radiological Emergency Response Playbook,…
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ASTM International, one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world, announced the approval and availability of a new standard for collecting, packaging, and transporting visible powder samples suspected of being biological agents. ASTM E 2458 ,, Standard Practices for Bulk Sample Collection and Swab Sample Collection of Visible Powders Suspected of Being Biological Agents from Nonporous Surfaces, is the first standard to address the subject. E 2458 incorporates reference guidance to comply with appropriate federal regulations regarding biosafety and biosecurity. The standard is applicable to nonporous surfaces only., Cooperative Interagency and Stakeholder Effort, The development of a sample collection standard was initiated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in order to address the problems associated with haphazard sample collection and screening. DHS assigned the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to coordinate and lead a task group whose charge was to develop a standard protocol for the collection of powders that are…, ASTM Committee E54 on Homeland Security, Currently there are over 500 stakeholders in Committee E 54 on Homeland Security, representing diverse groups including first responders, manufacturers, suppliers, trade and professional associations, and federal, state and local government. The committee was first organized in 2003. E 2458 is the third standard issued by Committee E54 on Homeland Security, and the first standard of Subcommittee…, Two-Step Procedure, E 2458 is a two-step procedure that is performed after an initial risk assessment is conducted and a visible powder is deemed a credible biological threat. The first step of the procedure, or Method A, covers the bulk collection and packaging of the suspicious visible powders from solid nonporous surfaces. Bulk samples are collected and transported in a manner that permits public health and…, Sample Collection Procedure Proven to Work, A study was conducted in March 2006 to validate the reliability of the sampling procedure at the U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground. The study demonstrated that the sampling procedure can be used by trained Emergency Responders in simulated emergency conditions to consistently recover samples. The study also proved that sufficient number of Bacillus anthracis spores can be detected by Emergency…, after, all bulk samples have been collected. The evaluation study was designed to determine the recovery efficacy on seven environmental surface types that included stainless steel, food-grade painted wood, rubber, tile, concrete, finished wood, and plastic. The study involved six teams that included four National Guard Civil Support Teams (CST), the Navy’s Chemical Biological Incidence Response Force (…, Contacts, ASTM standards are available from Customer Service (610-832-9585); https://www.astm.org/contact/ ) or the ASTM web site store ( www.astm.org ). For further technical information, contact E54.01 Chairman Alim A. Fatah, Program Manager, Chemical Systems & Materials, Office of Law Enforcement Standards, NIST (phone: 301/975-2753; alim.fatah@nist.gov ). The next meeting of Committee E54 is Jan.…
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ASTM International Committee F15 on Consumer Products has recently formed several new subcommittees. All interested parties are invited to participate in the activities of these subcommittees., F15.59 on Childrens Folding Chairs, The scope of F15.59 is the development of a safety standard for childrens folding chairs. The standard will detail testing requirements for structural integrity and performance requirements for childrens folding chairs, as well as provide requirements for labeling. At an organizational meeting on Dec. 6, 2005, Vince Amodeo and Keysha Watson, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission,…, F15.60 on Portable Pools, Subcommittee F15.60 on Portable Pools was organized on Dec. 5, 2005. The subcommittee plans to develop standards for portable pools for residential use. A portable pool is defined as a pool that is easily moved or carried, and designed to be purchased, set up and installed personally by the consumer. Subcommittee F15.60 will address safety issues that result in portable pool drownings, as well as…, F15.61 on Constant Air Inflatable Play Devices for Home Use, Subcommittee F15.61 on Constant Air Inflatable Play Devices for Home Use was formed Feb. 6. This subcommittee will develop safety specifications for various types of constant air inflatable devices intended for use by children over the age of 18 months to 14 years in a home environment. Subcommittee F15.61 will also work to maintain liaisons with relevant organizations, both internal and external…
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Proposed New ASTM International Homeland Security Standard to Provide Preparedness Plans for SchoolsThe mass murder at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., in 1999 brought the subject of school security into the U.S. national spotlight and subsequent events, including other school-related incidents and the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, have kept it there. A proposed new ASTM International standard will help schools and school districts prepare for and mitigate against both large-scale…
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According to a report published by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in April 2005, more than 10,000 emergency room-treated injuries and 49 deaths have been attributed to powered scooters since 1998. With these statistics in mind, ASTM Internationals Committee F15 on Consumer Products has formed a new subcommittee, F15.58 on Powered Scooters and Skateboards. The subcommittee was…
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Robots have a long and storied history in science fiction, but the rapid advance of technology has placed robotics very much within the realm of science fact. A new ASTM International initiative has now been launched that will investigate the role of robots in search and rescue operations. ASTM International has recently been selected by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop a…
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ASTM International Committee F15 on Consumer Products has revised a current standard and developed an important new one, both designed to keep children safe while they’re having fun. The residential play equipment industry is constantly changing, with new materials and components being introduced to the market every year. ASTM International Subcommittee F15.09 on Home Playground Equipment has…
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A new ASTM International subcommittee, E54.08 on Operational Equipment, is devoted to the development of standards related to operational equipment for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) incident response. The subcommittee, which is under the jurisdiction of Committee E54 on Homeland Security Applications, defines operational equipment as specialized equipment…
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An important ASTM International standard that is used to reduce life-threatening and debilitating injuries on playgrounds has recently undergone extensive revisions. Specification F 1487, Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for Public Use, is a comprehensive standard covering the full range of public playground equipment. It provides safety and performance…
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A longtime need for better standardization and testing of sporicides has led to the approval of a new ASTM International standard, E 2414, Test Method for Quantitative Sporicidal Three-Step Method (TSM) to Determine Sporicidal Efficacy of Liquids and Vapor or Gases on Contaminated Carrier Surfaces. The newly approved test method, under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee E54.03 on Decontamination,…