Standard test protocol

There have been numerous communications on the subject of biodegradation test methods, including aerobic compost (30), anaerobic bioreactor (31), general methodology and future directions (32—34), and a fine review article (24). ASTM (22) and MITI (35) have also set forth standard testing protocols for plastics, as shown in Table 2, whereas OECD test methods (29) are more suited to water-soluble polymers. 

The endpoint measurement of the ideal test system must be objective, so that a given compound will give similar results when tested using the standard test protocol in different laboratories. If it is not possible to obtain reproductive results in a given laboratory over time or between various laboratories, then the historical database against which new compounds are evaluated will be time- and laboratory-dependent. Along these lines, it is important for the test protocol to incorporate internal standards to serve as quality controls. Thus, test data could be represented utilizing a reference scale based on the test system response to the internal controls. Such normalization, if properly documented, could reduce intertest variability. 

BOX D-1 DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY ENDPOINTS FROM STANDARD TESTING PROTOCOLS... 

Table 2 Entry 1 testing results in four standard testing protocols. Only qualitative testing information were provided by author...

In general, commercially compiled databases like VITIC, Leadscope and MDL toxicity databases, which underwent a thoroughly conducted quality check, can be used as a basis to establish new QSARs. The chance of success is even higher if in-house data are used that have been conducted over several years by the same or only a small number of different laboratories applying stringent and standardized test protocols. 

At present, contrary to other dermatological diagnostic techniques, such as the photopatch test or photoprovocation testing, there are neither standardized test protocols nor established sourees of light or test substances available for FDAP, so that there is still a high demand for more research. 

Some of the criteria used for choosing these test species for use in a toxicity test were sensitivity, ecological importance (in terms of trophic level), wide geographic availability, successful laboratory maintenance, indicator of receiving environment, recognition by environmental and other agencies, and availability of standardized testing protocols. 

Several standard test protocols for measurement of polymer biodegradation are presently available. Organizations which have published such tests include the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) (Japan) [40] and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) [41]. They are, however, for the most part deficient to the extent that they have no control over the nature of microbial inoculum used, or the possible preadaptation of the mixed populations to specific substrates, and over the adequate control of particle size of the substrate. The relevance of these factors to laboratory assessment of the biodegradabUity of synthetic polymers has been recently discussed [1]. Most of these test methods have been derived from tests first used with detergents [42], and are not always well-suited for solid polymer substrates. 

Although it is commonly expected that nanoporous polymer foams will present improved properties over conventional or microporous foams, there are just a few experimental evidences about this behavior. The main limitation to characterize several properties of nanoporous foams is the production of sufficiently large samples that can be subjected to standard test protocols (with most of the results reported previously obtained in the form of thin films). 

Masuda (1994) have also set forth standard testing protocols for plastics as shown in Table 3, whereas OECD test methods(1981) are more suited for water-soluble polymers. 

J. A. Domanico, Using a standard test protocol to qualify candidate low toxicity colored smoke dyes, presented at Proceedings, 35th International Pyrotechnics Seminar, Fort Collins, CO, July 2008. 

Consequently, various subsystems will also be needed to support the development of these more sensitive instruments. Systems for reliable sample collection, sample processing, and presentation of chemicals to sensors are essential. Standardized methodologies are needed. Systematic quality assurance of sensor evaluations can only be achieved through standard methodologies that have proved successful. Toward this end, the National Institute of Standard Technologies (NIST) is in the process of generating the standard testing protocol under which all future detection devices shall be tested for certification. 

Obvious shortcomings of Fenton tests are their strong dependence on not standardized test protocols and the often qualitative nature of the monitored parameter, e.g., time until the membrane breaks or when floccules start to precipitate (see Table 6.3). Even within one paper, several test conditions may be used in parallel. Furthermore, due to the thermal instability of peroxide solutions, the solutions must be refreshed regularly. Sometimes, samples are immediately re-immersed, in other cases, samples are washed... 

Owing to the difficulty of comparing data from different working groups and the need to follow standardized test protocols, this section also shows the test procedures and methodology routines for each of the electrochemical techniques presented. The routines have been... 

In relation to the need of standardized test protocols for HT-PEM MEA characterization to make the results comparable between different research groups, the test procedure and methodology used and agreed by the participants of DEMMEA and CISTEM projects granted by the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH-JU) is going to be shown in this section. Nevertheless, Table 17.1 summarizes the main parameters used in each one of the characterization techniques at the end of this section. 

Standardized test protocols and routines must be also further developed to make data subtracted from the fuel cell more reliable and comparable. Specific long-term test protocols should be also developed to investigate durability of individual fuel cell components and interactions among themselves. Besides, each fuel cell application may require its own adapted testing protocols. 

An attempt has been made in this chapter to describe recent progress in the use of SCE methods as indicators of dangerous chemicals. Variations in the techniques such as the baseline SCE frequency, duration of chemical exposure, sensitivity of cell-cycle stage, cell type, and capacity for metabolic activation have been dealt with in some detail. Clearly, a standardized test protocol that would specify procedure and culture details is desirable but is still premature. The SCE test is still undergoing development, particularly with regard to the various ways of incorporating metabolic activation. 

Microbial cells living in biofilms are much more difficult to eradicate or control than suspended cells. Yet the susceptibility of biofiim cells to antibiotics and industrial antimicrobial agents is rarely assessed. In part, this is due to convention and, in part, because standard testing protocols against suspended cultures... 

The fire behavior of the foams can be tested with a cone calorimeter, according to standard test protocols (10,12). The test method is used to determine the ignitabUity, heat release rates, mass loss rates, effective heat of combustion, and visible smoke development of materials and products. 

Note, these definitions do not quantify the extent of degradation by any of the pathways they only indicate of the mechanism that is operating to promote degradation. While this is acceptable in a scientific sense to define a process or mechanism, the definitions do not meet or satisfy the requirement for environmentally acceptable degradable and biodegradable polymers, which, in the minds of legislators and lay people, is the key issue. To satisfy this very practical requirement, specifications for acceptability have to be set and monitored by standard testing protocols, based on the above definitions, which will be discussed later. 

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