Consumer test method

Size. The precise determination of particle size, usually referred to as the particle diameter, can actually be made only for spherical particles. For any other particle shape, a precise determination is practically impossible and particle size represents an approximation only, based on an agreement between producer and consumer with respect to the testing methods (see Size measurement of particles). 

Other simple tests include the soil burial test used to demonstrate the biodegradabiUty of polycaprolactone (25), following its disappearance as a function of time, and the clear 2one method which indicates biodegradation by the formation of a clear 2one in an agar medium of the test polymer or plastic as it is consumed (26). The burial test is still used as a confirmatory test method in the real-world environment after quantitative laboratory methods indicate bio degradation. 

Special Tests. Even though the American Society for Testing and Materials offers a wide range of test methods, there are other special tests that are imposed upon the manufacturer by consumers, the military, the U.S. Government, and ia some cases local or municipal governments. These tests are generally very specific and are oriented toward particular service conditions. In many iastances, the producers develop special tests within thek laboratories to solve customer problems or predict product or production performance. Many of these tests subsequentiy are adopted by ASTM. 

Portland cements are manufactured to comply with specifications estabUshed in each country (70). In the United States, several different specifications are used, including those of the American Society for Testing and Materials and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). The ASTM aimuaHy pubhshes test methods and standards (24), which are estabhshed on a consensus basis by its members which include consumers and producers. 

These latter curves are particularly important when they are obtained experimentally because they are less time consuming and require less specimen preparation than creep curves. Isochronous graphs at several time intervals can also be used to build up creep curves and indicate areas where the main experimental creep programme could be most profitably concentrated. They are also popular as evaluations of deformational behaviour because the data presentation is similar to the conventional tensile test data referred to in Section 2.3. It is interesting to note that the isochronous test method only differs from that of a conventional incremental loading tensile test in that (a) the presence of creep is recognised, and (b) the memory which the material has for its stress history is accounted for by the recovery periods. 

Vicki Barwick obtained a first degree in Chemistry from the University of Nottingham. She then joined the Laboratory of the Government Chemist (which became LGC in 1996) as an analyst in the Consumer Safety Group. Vicki was involved with a number of projects to assess the safety of consumer products, including developing test methods for the identification of colourants in cosmetics and the quantitation of phthalate plasticizers in child-care items. 

The second amendment to the Consumer Goods ordinance introduced a prohibition on the production, import and sale of certain garments and fabrics dyed with azo colorants which may split to cancerogenic aromatic amines. There are 24 prohibited amines in total. (See TRGS 614 [12]). The fifth amendment (1997) excluded those azo pigments from the prohibition of production and use, for which upon application of the official testing method [13] none of the listed aromatic amines can be detected. 

The o t-a. M-independent CPT determined by the potentiodynamic test method is found to be independent of both the chloride content of the solution in the range of 0.1-5 mole/liter ofNaCl and the pH value (pH 1-7). Testing at different temperatures with different specimens, and evaluating the results from one test temperature before the next temperature is selected, is a time-consuming process. It takes several days to determine a single CPT value. 

The saponification number expresses the amount of base that will react with 1 g of a sample when heated in a specific manner. Since certain elements are sometimes added to asphalt and also consume alkali and acids, the results obtained indicate the effect of these extraneous materials in addition to the saponifiable material present. In the test method (ASTM D94 IP 136), a known weight of the sample is dissolved in methyl ethyl ketone or a mixture of suitable solvents, and the mixture is heated with a known amount of standard alcoholic potassium hydroxide for between 30 and 90 minutes at 80°C (176°F). The excess alkali is titrated with standard hydrochloric acid and the saponification number is calculated. 

Preparation of commercial fatty acid-DETA derivatives the previously described procedure (11) was slightly modified, using a 5% excess fatty acid to ascertain that all BETA was consumed. Amine analysis was conducted, according to AOCS test method (13). The reaction products were used without purification. 

The duties of ECVAM are to coordinate the validation of alternative test methods at the EU level, to act as a focal point for the exchange of information on the development of alternative test methods, to set up, maintain, and manage a database on alternative procedures, and to promote dialogue between legislators, industries, biomedical scientists, consumer organizations, and animal welfare groups, with a view to the development, validation, and international recognition of alternative test methods. 

In a review. Arts and Kuper (2007) have summarized the animal test methods, which have been used to detect immune-mediated respiratory disease. The tests for respiratory sensitization include dermal as well as inhalatory or topical exposure of mice, rats, or guinea pigs for induction and challenge, and may measure various endpoints to evaluate respiratory sensitization. The review concludes that standardized and validated dose-response test methods are urgently required in order to allow identification of respiratory allergens and to make it possible to recommend safe exposure levels for consumers and workers. 

Finding a Method Various organizations publish volumes of methods for chemical analysis. One of the most well known is the American Society for Testing and Materials, or ASTM. The ASTM is a not-for-profit organization that provides a forum for producers, users, and consumers, to write standards for materials, products, systems, and services. The ASTM (Figure 5.19) publishes standard test methods encompassing metals, paints, plastics, textiles, petroleum, construction, energy, the environment, consumer products, medical services and devices, computerized systems, electronics, and many other areas. More than 10,000 ASTM standards are published each year in the 72 volumes of the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Individual standards are also available. 

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