Blood Resistance Test

Protective clothing with blood-resistant properties is vital to safeguard healthcare professionals, first responders and others whose occupation puts them at risk for exposure to infectious bloodborne pathogens.

Blood resistance is the ability of a fabric in protective clothing to resistant penetration by blood under conditions of continuous liquid contact. It is determined by the visual detection of blood penetration.

Healthcare workers and first responders are often involved in treating and caring for injured or sick individuals, putting them at risk of exposure to biological liquids capable of transmitting disease. Blood transmitting diseases, like Hepatitis [Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)] and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) [Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (HIV)], can pose significant risks to life and health.

Protective clothing with blood resistance properties can protect the person from bloodborne pathogensby reducing the potential of direct contact with the skin and prevent the wearer from coming into contact with body fluids that potentially contain bloodborne pathogens.

The blood resistance testing method includes ASTM F1670. The procedures are as below:

1. Add a specific volume of synthetic blood in the cell body.
2. Place the test specimen on the cell mouth and put the gasket, retaining screen and other covers on the specimen to clamp it.
3. Connect the test assembly to the air pressure source and supply pressurized air into the cell.
4. Observe if any droplets of the synthetic blood appear on the viewing side of the specimen.
5. Report “Pass” if no synthetic blood appears; otherwise, report “Fail”.