ASTM D1671
ASTM D1671 - Resistance of Materials used in protective clothing to a penetration by blood-borne pathogens using Phi-X174 Bacteriophage Penetration as a test method.
This test method is used to measure the resistance of materials used in protective clothing to penetration by blood-borne pathogens using a surrogate microbe under conditions of continous liquid contact. The primary purpose of medical gloves is to protect against bloodborne pathogens. The Phi-X174 is one of the smallest measurable viruses in the world and is used to test the exam glove's ability to act as a barrier. If the medical glove acts as a good barrier to the Phi-X174 virus, it also forms a good barrier against larger viruses such as hepatitis B and C and the AIDS virus.