Ability of a viral penetration test (ASTM F1671-95) to detect small holes

A modified version of ASTM Test Method F1671-95, Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Blood-Borne Pat hogens Using Phi-X174 Bacteriophage Penetration as a Test System, was chara cterized using as test material pieces of condom latex with laser-drilled h oles of known size. The modified test included the initial 5-min, no-pressu re period together with the I-min, 2-psi period, but eliminated the final 5 4-min, no-pressure period. Virus penetration was detected for all holes wit h diameters above 1.0 mu m. The quantitative results were in good agreement with calculated fluid flow through a cylinder (Poiseuille equation) for ho les above 2 mu m. A brief argument is presented suggesting that the final 5 4-min period at no pressure be eliminated from the test protocol.