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1.1 This test method covers the determination of the effectiveness of antimicrobial handwashing agents for the reduction of transient microbial flora when used in a handwashing procedure.

1.2 A knowledge of microbiological techniques is required for these procedures.

1.3 This test method may be used to evaluate topical antimicrobial handwash formulations.

1.4 Performance of this procedure requires the knowledge of regulations pertaining to the protection of human subjects.2

1.5 In this test method, SI units are used for all applications, except for distance in which case inches are used and SI units follow in parentheses.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For more specific precautionary statements see 8.5.

5.1 This procedure has been designed to evaluate handwash products using a palmar surface only contamination method. This method is an alternative contamination procedure to that listed in Test Method E1174. The current contamination procedure in Test Method E1174 describes a standardized procedure for contaminating the entire hand, palmar surface and back, directly using a marker organism. The contamination procedure in Test Method E1174 does not necessarily represent real world hand contamination. During routine activities it is only the palmar surface, comprising palms, fingers, and finger pads of the hands that becomes contaminated by contact with transient microorganisms. These microorganisms can then be transferred to food or objects. Methods to measure the amount of microorganisms transferred to food or objects can be found in Fischler et al5 and Fuls et al6 and will be developed into a future ASTM standard.