The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recently published ISO/TS 23650:2021, “Nanotechnologies — Evaluation of the antimicrobial performance of textiles containing manufactured nanomaterials.” ISO states that the standard specifies the antimicrobial performance assessment method for textiles containing manufactured (metals/metal oxides) nanomaterials. The textiles in the standard include fabric, yarn, and fiber in which manufactured nanomaterials are used during the production or finishing process. The standard also specifies protocols to determine the quantity of nanomaterials released from the textiles following washing and/or exposure to artificial human body sweat. ISO notes that the standard covers only the antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-odor performance assessment method of textiles containing manufactured nanomaterials. The standard does not cover textiles that have therapeutic applications or the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) issues related to textiles containing manufactured nanomaterials. ISO states that the standard does not cover the release of nanomaterials as a result of aging, dry attrition, and abrasion, “although it is considered as an effective factor in releasing nanomaterials.”

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