ASTM E939-94(2012)

This test method is an important part of the final phase of study in the development of mosquito repellents for personal use.

This test method is primarily designed to simulate a situation in which a person treated with a repellent is exposed to natural populations of attacking mosquitoes.

The simplicity of the test offers flexibility under a relatively wide range of circumstances and geographical locations. By following this test method, international testing with a variety of vector mosquito populations is no more difficult to accomplish than tests with various domestic species.

A number of people test topical applications of a repellent for the following reasons:

To determine how long the repellent is effective;

To establish the effective dosage range;

To establish the range of effectiveness on several mosquito genera and species in a number of geographical areas; and

To identify the material in terms of odor, staining capability, plasticizing effect, and oiliness or greasiness.

No repellent should be tested on humans without the written consent of the test volunteers (hereafter referred to as test subjects) and prior approval of competent authority, as designated in applicable laws and regulations governing experimentation on humans.

1.1 This test method is used to evaluate the repellency of promising compounds that have undergone primary laboratory studies and have been approved for skin application for secondary testing.

1.2 This test method is designed for the study of mosquito repellents, but with some modifications this test method can be used to determine the repellency of candidate compounds for other flying insects that attack humans.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.4 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.