Meltblown Fabric Tests - Bacteria Penetration Test

Although much progress has been made on high-performance and functional protective equipment to date, studies on the antimicrobial surfaces, environmental impact and economic status of such garments are still ongoing.

Nonwoven fabrics such as meltblown fabric have been added to cotton and synthetic medical textile products, which are used as barrier material and personal protective equipment against the movement and displacement of biological infectious factors. The level of protection required against penetration by viruses and bacteria depends on the risks of surgical processes.

As with all other textile materials, bacterial penetration tests are performed on meltblown fabrics in advanced laboratories. The main standard based on these tests is the ISO 22610 standard developed by the International Standards Organization (ISO). Said standard defines a test apparatus and provides a test method for determining the resistance of a fluid to penetration by bacteria when a medical material is subjected to mechanical friction.

There are many cases where bacteria carried by a liquid pass through a barrier material in the wet state. For example, skin contact with a cover material and wet penetration of the skin flora. The legal regulations in force place the responsibility for the prevention of infections related to medical equipment on the manufacturers. In this respect, manufacturers must use harmonized and recognized international test methods in order to demonstrate compliance with this requirement and to present a product to the user.

The test method described in the ISO 22610 standard uses microbiological techniques. Therefore, tests should be carried out by trained, experienced and well-equipped laboratories.

In the last update of this standard, the sensitivity of the test method has been further increased. Accordingly, the standard uses a strain of a different bacterial species, imposes tighter tolerances on material handling and processes, and expects tests to result in reproducible and accurate measurements. In order to obtain accurate and reproducible results, the equipment must not only meet the requirements specified in this standard, but the test method must be followed precisely and consistently.

This standard has been published in our country by the Turkish Standards Institute (TSE) with the following title: TS EN ISO 22610 Surgical drapes, garments and clean air suits used as medical devices for patients, hospital staff and equipment - Test method for determination of resistance to wet bacterial permeability.

In bacterial penetration tests of Meltblown fabrics, also ISO 22612 standard(ISO 22612 Clothing for protection against infectious agents - Test method for resistance to dry microbial penetration).

Our organization provides bacterial penetration test services within the scope of meltblown fabric testing services to demanding healthcare organizations and manufacturers within the framework of national and international standards, with a trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment, among numerous testing, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies.