ISO 21702 is an antimicrobial surface test that will be accomplished to measure antiviral activity. The test was conducted on surfaces like plastics and other non-porous materials. In general, iso 21702 is a surface testing method performed on various viruses. Most importantly, the test will get conducted according to the clients’ requirements. One thing about the standard ISO 21702 test method is that its purpose is to determine the ability of materials to kill viruses. For sure, the occurrence of the virus is for many reasons. The surface that gets contacted with the virus wants to be identified. Along with the overall time for the test is 24 hours if it’s got contact. Most of the time, the standard ISO 21702 test method uses the Influenza A virus, Feline calicivirus. No matter what, it is the most commonly requested test method to check the viral activity on the surface. Be it plastic and non-porous products, 21702 is a must to identify antimicrobial activity.
Also read – ISO 21702 – for testing plastics and different non-porous surfaces
About ISO 21702
If the surface is treated with an antimicrobial, then it will pass ISO 21702 test method. However, when the environmental influence is a treated surface, there is no chance to work in the way you expect. That is why it is essential to account for environmental conditions in testing like UV exposure, humidity and others. Along with that, usage of release agents also matters the most when it comes to molded products. All because it can destroy the efficacy of antiviral plastic. Additionally, a durability test was also included with ISO 21702 to collect some vital information to identify how the surface will act once exposed to environmental conditions. The main reason why most people ask for durability testing in companion with the ISO 21702 testing method is to check the product’s antimicrobial performance against viruses, suppose if it’s get exposed to environmental conditions. So then the business can know the complete implementation of the test. One can save money and time and offer quality products to the customers.
How ISO 21702 testing method identify if the material is antiviral?
Undoubtedly, contaminating the surface is the only way to determine the spread of the virus. There is a chance that the antiviral surfaces are able to inactivate any contaminating virus particles rapidly. That is why the developers follow two ways via naturally antiviral materials or incorporating antiviral additives into their products. In general, iso 21702 test method is developed to understand the virucidal properties of plastic and other non-porous surfaces. Thus to do this, loading a predetermined concentration of virus. It will be included on the test surfaces for reference purpose is a must. At the same time, the surface wants to leave as such at room temperature for 24 hours. If any virus is there, it can be removed by washing the samples with liquid media. Later the range of infectious viruses recovered from these samples can get that tested surface is antiviral with the reference. Of course, it may look easy but pass or fail the experimental process so they can identify the result is reliable and best.
Way to determine the antiviral activity of a surface
The intent of the ISO 21702 test method is to decrease the virus activity on the surface by means of the control sample. As in general, the reduction of the virus is R-Value. And the difference between the amount of virus recovered from the reference and then from the test sample will get estimated as base ten logarithms. However, to know the antiviral activity, a model should attain an R-value of 1 or more. If the R-value is one, then it is equal to a 90% reduction of infectious virus in the sample. Likewise, the way the R-value increases the removal of the virus is also there. Understand the R-value is a relative measurement. It is wholly related to an inert control because the virus starts to fade and reach the inactive state after some time. Also, the chance for virus reduction may occur due to different environments in the lab. Thus, one should properly look at the R-value.
All about cytotoxicity control
As mentioned before, the main reason to conduct the iso 21702 test method is to determine the infectious virus present on the surface. The test’s basic procedure is to measure the amount of contagious virus recovered from the test surfaces. However, it is because of adding the recovered virus to the host cells. You should know that the infectious virus will kill the host cells in a method called cytopathic effect or CPE. In general, it is a distinctive way, so then when more infectious viruses recover, it will kill as many host cells easily. Along with that, if the test samples leak any toxic substance into the test media, that will surely kill the host cells. If it happens, there is no chance of getting the correct test result. So you all will conclude that the test material is not antiviral enough when the host cell dies.
Why cytotoxicity control?
Here is where you need cytotoxicity control. By means of this control, one can figure out the time to add the liquid media to the test surface. All because it will wait 5 minutes and then recover the media, the host cells. By this, the virus will get avoided in such a case if the host cell dies, then you can identify that it is because of toxicity coming from the test material. But overall, the test result is not appropriate. That is why while doing the test, you should notice the cytotoxicity toward cultured cells growing in media in a specific condition or not. Only after you identify it you are required to conclude the overall antiviral test, and by this, you can obtain the best result. Understanding the purpose of the test is not to know the toxicity of the test material. Therefore, you should get it and do the procedure.
Why is the ISO 217 02 test method vital?
As mentioned before, the ISO 21702 standard test method determines the antiviral activity of antiviral treated products. It includes plastics and other non-porous surfaces to check whether a specific virus is still there. When it comes to doing iso 21702 test method, pharmacological agents are used against virus infections. The reason why it is used is to control or kill the viral infection. Of course, antivirals are drugs that are effective against viruses along with it will prevent people from such unsafe viruses. In general, this test can be conducted to know the range of antiviral present on the surface and to reduce the overall virus amount. There is a lot more difference between an antiviral agent and antiviral activity. Yes, the antiviral agent refers to the agent that will reduce the number of infectious viruses on the surface of the products. In contrast, antiviral activity refers to the fight against viruses.
Does every business need it?
Undeniably, it is an essential test method to perform. Understanding antibacterial treated porous and non-porous products are approved and welcomed by worldwide people alone. As you all know, the consumers are different. In such a case, more than traditional material, when it has hygienic properties, they believe that the material is against the virus. At present, such products alone got popularity globally. No matter what, you should perform the ISO 21702 standard test method, which is highly suggested. So then it can grab customers in many ways, thus never miss using it.
