Standard Test Methods for
Evaluating Absorbent Pads Used with Membrane Filters for
Bacteriological Analysis and Growth 1

This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4198; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope

1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the
nutrient-holding capacity and the toxic or nutritive effect on
bacterial growth of organisms retained on a membrane filter,
when the absorbent pad being tested is used as a nutrient
reservoir and medium supply source for the retained bacteria.

1.2 The tests described are conducted on 47-mm diameter
disks, although other size disks may be employed for bacterial
culture techniques.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents

2.1 ASTM Standards: 2
D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D 3508 Method for Evaluating Water Testing Membrane
Filters for Fecal Coliform Recovery

3. Terminology

3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in these test
methods, refer to Terminology D 1129.

4. Summary of Test Methods

4.1 Test Method A involves saturating a 47-mm absorbent
pad with water and determining the volume of water held by
the pad by weighing the pad dry and when fully saturated.

4.2 Test Method B involves culturing micro-organisms from
suspensions of pure cultures on a 0.45-µm membrane filter,
which is placed on the test absorbent pad saturated with the

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