Designation: F2299/F2299M − 03 (Reapproved 2017)Standard Test Method forDetermining the Initial Efficiency of Materials Used inMedical Face Masks to Penetration by Particulates UsingLatex Spheres 1This standard is issued under the f i xed designation F2299/F2299M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the yearof original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1. Scope1.1 This test method establishes procedures for measuringthe initial particle f i ltration efficiency of materials used inmedical facemasks using monodispersed aerosols.1.1.1 This test method utilizes light scattering particlecounting in the size range of 0.1 to 5.0 µm and airf l ow testvelocities of 0.5 to 25 cm/s.1.2 The test procedure measures f i ltration efficiency bycomparing the particle count in the feed stream (upstream) tothat in the f i ltrate (downstream).1.3 The values stated in SI units or in other units shall beregarded separately as standard. The values stated in eachsystem must be used independently of the other, withoutcombining values in any way.1.4 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to thetest methods portion, Section 10, of this specif i cation. Thisstandard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the userof this standard to establish appropriate safety and healthpractices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-tions prior to use.1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-ization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards, Guides and Recom-mendations issued by the World Trade Organization TechnicalBarriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.2. Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards: 2D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis ofAtmospheresD1777 Test Method for Thickness of Textile MaterialsD2905 Practice for Statements on Number of Specimens forTextiles (Withdrawn 2008) 3D3776/D3776M Test Methods for Mass Per Unit Area(Weight) of FabricE691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study toDetermine the Precision of a Test MethodF50 Practice for Continuous Sizing and Counting of Air-borne Particles in Dust-Controlled Areas and CleanRooms Using Instruments Capable of Detecting SingleSub-Micrometre and Larger ParticlesF328 Practice for Calibration of an Airborne Particle Coun-ter Using Monodisperse Spherical Particles (Withdrawn2007) 3F778 Methods for Gas Flow Resistance Testing of FiltrationMediaF1471 Test Method for Air Cleaning Performance of aHigh-Efficiency Particulate Air Filter SystemF1494 Terminology Relating to Protective ClothingF2053 Guide for Documenting the Results of AirborneParticle Penetration Testing of Protective Clothing Mate-rials3. Terminology3.1 Def i nitions:3.1.1 aerosol, n—a suspension of a liquid or solid particlesin a gas with the particles being in the colloidal size range.3.1.1.1 Discussion—In this test method, aerosols includesolid particles having a diameter of 0.1 to 5 µm suspended ordispersed in an airf l ow at concentrations of less than 102 par-ticles ⁄cm 3 .3.1.2 isokinetic sampling, n—a condition where the velocityof the airf l ow entering the sampling nozzle is the same as thevelocity of the airf l ow passing around the sampling nozzle.1 This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F23 on PersonalProtective Clothing and Equipment and is the direct responsibility of SubcommitteeF23.40 on Biological.Current edition approved June 1, 2017. Published June 2017. Originallyapproved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as F2299/F2299M – 03(2010). DOI: 10.1520/F2299_F2299M-03R17.2 For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, orcontact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3 The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced onwww.astm.org.Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United StatesThis international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.1Copyrighted material licensed to SGS SA^SGS Group. No further reproduction or distribution permitted.Printed / viewed by: [birkoff.chen@sgs.com] @ 2020-02-02