Test methods for breathability of infant products focus of new subcommittee

Subcommittee F15.12 aims to fill the gap on breathing hazards for infant products
 
W. Conshohocken, Pa., U.S. (26 September 2024) – ASTM’s consumer products committee (F15) has begun a new subcommittee on Firmness and Breathability of Juvenile Products (F15.12) on infant breathability test methods. The subcommittee was established to fulfil a need for testing specific to infant products.

ASTM’s existing juvenile product subcommittees have been developing test methods for hazardous product features stemming from soft surfaces. The purpose of this subcommittee will be to support infant product development by providing test methods and guidance for manufacturers and labs.

ASTM member Michael Leshner says that testing methods must be adapted for infants when it comes to their size, weight and force of their face against a product. Thus, the subcommittee is making these the focus of its first 3 work items: WK84613, WK84614, and WK84615. These proposed standards cover surface firmness, airflow resistance, and carbon dioxide re-breathing, respectively.

“When it comes to infant breathing hazards, it is hard to tell anything about the safety of a product by looking, feeling and guessing,” says Leshner. “We know that adverse incidents can occur on soft surfaces. The term ‘breathable’ is commonly used in this field, but there is no existing ASTM test method for breathability of infant products. Current ASTM test methods for fabrics and other materials aren’t suited to infant size, air flow rate or force.”

This subcommittee’s efforts will support United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #4 on health. Leshner notes that the subcommittee is seeking subject matter experts with medical, bio-medical and epidemiological experience in infant breathing hazards. 
 
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