Sterilized medical devices are indispensable to doctors and surgeons around the world. Peel pouches, otherwise known as preformed sterile barrier systems, are used to keep these devices sterile during all physical handling. These pouches can be made with a wide variety of material and are produced by many different suppliers, but the trait all pouches must share is the ability to protect devices and keep them sterile.
 

Questions raised at a dosimetry symposium in 1998 have led to the development of a proposed new ASTM International standard, WK13464, Guide for Performance Characterization of Dosimeters for Use in Radiation Processing.

A concern about the ecology of wetlands on U.S. Navy and other Department of Defense facilities has been the impetus for the development of a proposed new ASTM International standard, WK13030, Guide for Conducting Whole Sediment Toxicity Tests with Amphibians. The proposed guide, which is being developed by Subcommittee E47.03 on Sediment Assessment and Toxicology, will allow users to study the level of contamination in a wetlands area and its effect on animals.

Using a new ASTM standard will improve communication among the many stakeholders that are involved in preparing, evaluating and using cost estimates for new construction projects.

ASTM International Committee E56 on Nanotechnology has approved its first standard, E 2456, Terminology for Nanotechnology. The new standard is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee E56.01 on Terminology and Nomenclature.

A proposed new ASTM International standard, WK12964, Specification for Blended Supplementary Cementitious Materials, will enable producers, especially those with limited silos, to take advantage of the benefits of blending materials.

ASTM International Committee E18 on Sensory Evaluation has been working on developing a series of widely used, fundamental discrimination tests into ASTM International standards.

Asset budgets are often the third largest line item (after personnel and information technology) for many organizations. Because of this, asset managers in both the public and private sectors need to present compelling arguments and demonstrate strategic value to core missions in framing asset decisions.

ASTM International Committee F17 on Plastic Piping Systems has recently approved a new standard and is currently working on two proposed new standards. The following describes these standards activities.

Plastic Piping Systems Committee Completes Latest Standard in Polyamide-11 Series

ASTM International Committee D18 on Soil and Rock invites all interested parties to participate in a new task group, D18.01.03 on Coal Mining Spatial Data Standards. The task group, which is being chaired by Joseph Ritchey, Pro2Serve-Professional Project Services, is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee D18.01 on Surface and Subsurface Characterization.