AOAC signed on May 16, 2008, the Association’s first contract with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST; Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA) to revise ASTM E 2458-06, Standard Practices for Bulk Sample Collection and Swab Sample Collection of Visible Powders Suspected of Being Biological Agents from Nonporous Surfaces. In implementing the standard, approved by AOAC as Official Method^SM 2006.04 and released by ASTM, it was determined that a need exists for additional review and input to better meet the needs of first responders and emergency response, public health, and law enforcement agencies.

NIST will coordinate a series of standards related to sampling biological contaminants. In support of this agreement, AOAC will provide the necessary infrastructure to re-examine the current standard, supported by a contract between AOAC and DHS, based on end user input and stakeholder consensus. In doing so, AOAC will leverage its networks to identify and engage key stakeholders from federal agencies, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the U.S. National Guard, state and local public health agencies, and emergency response agencies.

The effort will focus on requesting, collecting, and compiling comments on the current standard from stakeholders and other interested parties. Based on stakeholder consensus, ASTM E 2458-06 will be revised to reflect comments received. A final draft of the standard will be submitted to AOAC and ASTM for approval.

To download free of charge, courtesy of DHS, a current copy of ASTM E 2458-06, Standard Practices for Bulk Sample Collection and Swab Sample Collection of Visible Powders Suspected of Being Biological Agents from Nonporous Surfaces, visit http://www.astm.org/COMMIT/E54.htm.

For full coverage, see the July/August issue of Inside Laboratory Management.

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