ASTM E1153 EPA Non-Food Contact Sanitizer Test

ASTM E1153 - EPA Non-Food Contact Sanitizer Test

Welcome to Antimicrobial Test Laboratories' ASTM E1153 test method resource page. Below, you will find a summary of ASTM E1153, along with some of its strengths and weaknesses.

This method is used by EPA to verify the efficacy of sanitizers intended for non-food contact surfaces. It is a "dry carrier" type of sanitizer test, where bacteria are dried onto test surfaces then treated with sanitizer. It carries the benefit of being fully quantitative, so performance results can be more easily compared between products.

Note: The information below is presented for educational purposes only. Current, detailed ASTM Methods can be obtained from ASTM.

ASTM E1153 Test Method Summary:

A microbial culture is prepared, utilizing a number of consecutive daily subcultures prior to initiation of the test culture.
A volume of microbial culture is placed onto test surfaces to dry. For a GLP test, 5 test carriers and 3 control carriers are typically used.
In parallel, a number of different "initial bacterial concentration controls" are run, as specified by the method.
At the end of the contact time, the reaction between microorganisms and the non-food contact sanitizer is quenched using a chemical neutralizer and/or dilution.
Rigorous chemical neutralization controls are run to ensure that the reaction between
After the predetermined contact time, small aliquots of the mixture of bacteria, product, and neutralizer are removed and microorganisms are enumerated using standard techniques.
Microbial populations on the test surfaces after treatment with the sanitizer are compared with parallel "initial bacterial concentration controls" to determine percent reduction and log reduction.

Strengths of the ASTM E1153 Test:

The impact of a disinfectant product on microorganisms over time (death curve) can be studied with relative ease using this surface-based test method.
The method is accepted by EPA when run under GLP test conditions, to support non-food contact sanitization claims.
Brief contact times can be studied (down to about 15 seconds) with relative ease.

Weaknesses of the ASTM E1153 Method:

Since appreciable volumes of chemical neutralization agents are sometimes required for potent sanitizers, limit of detection can "creep" to the high side. The result to study sponsors is that they cannot necessarily resolve the full percent or log reduction of microorganisms.
Some of the initial numbers controls (time zero counts) are unnecessary from a scientific perspective.

Antimicrobial Test Laboratories has run a great numer of ASTM E1153 studies under both GLP and non-GLP test conditions. It also makes for a handy "screen" before testing for full disinfection. If your firm is interested in running ASTM E1153 studies, simply Contact the Lab today!