ISO 22609 face mask blood penetrability test is the measure of a face mask’s ability to prevent the passage of blood through it. The test is conducted under standardized conditions. Through this testing, healthcare manufacturers and the textile industry can verify the performance of these face masks.
Additionally, they can improve the quality and can meet the requirements of these face masks.
ISO 22609 Testing and Its Importance
ISO 22609 Testing and Its ImportancePurpose of ISO 22609 Testing
ISO 22609 is an internationally recognized test used to measure the penetration resistance of a face mask to high-velocity synthetic blood splash.
It differs from filtration and breathability testing because this test focuses on the face mask’s performance against liquid penetration, which primarily occurs during medical treatment.
This testing includes the spraying of 2ml artificial blood on the mask at a horizontal position. This spraying is equal to the blood pressures of 10.6 kpa, 16 kpa and 21.3 kpa. The mask will pass the test if no blood passes through it or reaches the inner side of the mask.
This synthetic blood used for testing has a surface tension of 0.042, which is close to that of real human blood.
What Types of Hazard Conditions Does This Test Stimulate?
Basically, the ISO 22609 test simulates accidental conditions that can occur during different medical treatments, surgical or trauma treatments, dental treatments and when blood vessels become punctured.
These sudden splashes can contain blood pathogens like HBV, HCV, and HIV. So, this makes the face mask an important need as personal protective equipment.
To accurately measure the actual performance of a face mask, laboratories use various testers, such as Darong’s Face Mask Penetrability Tester DR247K.
This tester controls the volume and pressure of blood very precisely and adjusts the position of the sample according to the standard, ISO 22609.
Working Method of ISO 22609 Testing
Testing Principles and Conditions
The ISO 22609 testing includes the spraying of 2ml artificial blood on the mask at a horizontal position. This spraying is equal to the blood pressures of 10.6 kpa, 16 kpa and 21.3 kpa, having velocities 80, 120 and 160 mmHg, respectively.
The mask will pass the test if no blood passes through it or reaches the inner side of the mask. This synthetic blood used for testing has a surface tension of 0.042, which is nearly the same as that of real human blood.
This test uses a nozzle according to the standard, with a 300mm impact distance, and controls environmental conditions to ensure accurate and repeatable results across different laboratories.
Testing Procedure, Sample Preparation and How Samples Are Evaluated?
The face mask samples are conditioned under controlled environmental conditions at 21+-5 °C and 85+-5% relative humidity for 4 hours. Then the mask is placed on the fixture in the equipment. A 2ml volume of synthetic blood is sprayed on the sample at a horizontal position.
The ISO 22609 has a simple evaluation procedure: if any blood drops pass through the sample or reach the inner side of the sample, it will be considered a failure. For quality control purposes, the standard requires an acceptance rate of 4%.
What Factors Affect the Accuracy of ISO 22609 Testing?
Major Laboratory Errors That Affect the Testing Results
To ensure accurate and repeatable results, the testing conditions and all parameters must be carefully controlled and regularly monitored. The main factors that can affect the testing results are uneven pressure in the synthetic blood, incorrect blood volume, incorrect air pressure, impact distance and nozzle issues.
The samples must be conditioned at 21+- 5°C temperature and 85+-5% relative humidity before testing. The equipment must deliver a blood volume of 2ml to the mask. Even a small variation in blood volume and pressure can significantly change the results.
How Does a Modern Face Mask Penetrating Tester Improve Testing?
A reliable face mask tester reduces human errors by carefully controlling the testing conditions, blood pressure, impact distance, nozzle position and testing duration.
Additionally, the blood used in this test is artificial, which improves environmental and laboratory safety. We can adjust the nozzle to improve sample alignment.
This modern Face Mask Blood Penetration Tester ensures uniform blood pressure, enhancing testing repeatability, compliance and quality.
How Laboratories Can Apply the Results of ISO 22609 Testing in Product and Development and in Compliance
Limitations of ISO 22609 Testing
Laboratories must use the complete results of ISO 22609 testing, not only the protection results. This test measures only the resistance to high-velocity blood and does not measure bacterial filtration efficiency, particle filtration efficiency, differential pressure, mask fit or other protection parameters against different bacteria or airborne aerosols.
It only evaluates the performance of the mask and does not explain the mask design, seam or edge leakage. So, a complete evaluation is required to verify its resistance towards high-velocity blood.
When ISO 22609 Test Must Be Conducted Alongside with Other Face Masks Tests?
For product development and quality control, ISO 22609 testing must be used alongside other face mask testing to evaluate the overall performance of the mask. Usually, manufacturers test the sample using a combination of ISO 22609 and EN 14683 or ASTM F2100.
These standards include testing of bacterial filtration efficiency, differential pressure and particle filtration efficiency. This combined testing helps manufacturers use a suitable material while maintaining wearer comfort.
Conclusion
ISO 22609 provides comprehensive guidance and a method for evaluating the face mask’s resistance to blood penetration under high-velocity conditions. It is an important standard for health care and personal protective equipment
A modern and reliable face mask blood penetrability tester, like DR247k by Darong has a uniform pressure of blood that improves the testing efficiency.
FAQS
Why does ISO 22609 use artificial blood?
The artificial blood has a standardized viscosity and a surface tension of 0.042, which is nearly equal to that of real human blood.
Does ISO 22609-passed sample provide protection against other filtration efficiencies?
The ISO 22609 only provides resistance towards blood penetration. It does not measure bacterial filtration efficiency, differential pressure and breathability.
What factors are important for getting accurate results?
To enhance testing efficiency and accuracy, various testing parameters must be controlled, including pressure, impact distance, 2ml blood volume and accurate sample positioning.
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