The efficacy of disinfection technologies can be evaluated on finished products, as well as on developmental items.

This test method defines procedures for validation of the aerosol generator, preparation of the test specimen, application of the challenge virus, enumeration of viable viruses, assessing data quality, and calculation of decontamination efficacy.

This test method provides defined procedures for creating droplet nuclei that approximate those produced by human respiratory secretions with particular emphasis on particle size distribution and aerosolization media.

Safety concerns associated with aerosolizing microbial agents are not addressed as part of this test method. Individual users should consult with their local safety authority, and a detailed biological aerosol safety plan and risk assessment should be conducted prior to using this method. Users are encouraged to consult the manual Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This test method differs from Test Methods E1052 and E2197 in the presentation of the virus to surface. The aforementioned test methods use liquid inoculum to contaminate carrier surfaces, whereas this test method presents the virus in the absence of water as droplet nuclei.

This test method differs from Test Method because (1) smaller particles are being formed, (2) the droplets will be dried, thus forming droplet nuclei, prior to application to air-permeable materials, and (3) unique equipment is required to create the droplet nuclei.