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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 D05 on Coal and Coke is currently seeking participation in the development of a proposed new standard, WK10700 , Test Method for Total Moisture in Coal Reduced to 2.36 mm (No. 8 Sieve) Topsize Through Determination of Air-Drying Loss by Microwave Oven. The proposed new standard is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee D05.21 on Methods of Analysis. While air-drying…
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ASTM Committee D05 on Coal and Coke is currently developing a proposed new standard, WK10380, Practice for Establishing the Competence of Laboratories Using ASTM Procedures in the Sampling and Analysis of Coal and Coke. The proposed standard will specify requirements for establishing, operating and evaluating a laboratory that provides services in the areas of sample collection and preparation…
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If you are a user of ASTM B 456, Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Copper Plus Nickel Plus Chromium and Nick Plus Chromium, ASTM International Committee B08 on Metallic and Inorganic Coatings would like to hear from you. B 456 is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee B08.08.03 on Decorative Coatings. "Subcommittee B08.08.03 has received reports that some users are experiencing…
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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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Most of the coal burned in the United States contains only trace amounts of chloride and fluoride. However, due to the increasing regulation of these compounds for clean air initiatives, being able to measure even small amounts of chloride and fluoride in coal has taken on a greater importance than ever. Recognizing this, ASTM International Committee D05 on Coal and Coke has begun to develop a…
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ASTM International Committee D05 on Coal and Coke is seeking participation in the development of a proposed new standard, WK9165, Test Methods for Loss on Ignition of Solid Combustion Residues. According to John Riley, a recently retired chemistry professor at Western Kentucky University, the question of how loss on ignition testing is done is an issue that a task group he chairs began looking at…
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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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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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Natural gas from unconventional sources, such as from coal beds (coal bed methane), has become a common target for exploration in recent years. Coal gas demand continues to grow and is expected to provide about 10 percent of U.S. production in the future. However, there are no standards available that describe procedures used to determine the gas content of North American coal and the most…