ASTM D8219-19

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D8219 − 19
Standard Guide for
Cleaning and Disinfection at a Cannabis Cultivation Center
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8219; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 The purpose of this guide is to provide a collection of
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
information and a range of options for cleaning and disinfect-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ing a cannabis cultivation center, including the prevention of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
hazards such as: disease, pests, and contamination.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.2 This guide addresses techniques and considerations for
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
cleaning, as well as information on disinfection products and
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
techniques.
2. Referenced Documents
1.3 This guide is not intended for stewardship of cleaning
2.1 ASTM Standards:
and housekeeping operations. Refer to Guide E1971 for more
D5791 Guide for Using Probability Sampling Methods in
information on general janitorial type cleaning.
Studies of Indoor Air Quality in Buildings
1.4 This guide does not recommend a specific course of
D7338 Guide for Assessment Of Fungal Growth in Build-
action due to the wide variety of circumstances and differences
ings
from one cultivation center to another. As such, it is not
D7391 Test Method for Categorization and Quantification of
possible to describe a set of universal steps that will always be
Airborne Fungal Structures in an Inertial Impaction
performed (that is, a standard practice); therefore, the user of
Sample by Optical Microscopy
this guide must decide what is appropriate for a given situation
D7788 Practice for Collection of Total Airborne Fungal
or location.
Structures via Inertial Impaction Methodology
1.5 This guide offers an organized collection of information
D7910 Practice for Collection of Fungal Material From
oraseriesofoptionsanddoesnotrecommendaspecificcourse
Surfaces by Tape Lift
of action. This document cannot replace education or experi-
E1971 Guide for Stewardship for the Cleaning of Commer-
ence and should be used in conjunction with professional
cial and Institutional Buildings
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
E2590 Guide for Conducting HazardAnalysis-Critical Con-
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-
trol Point (HACCP) Evaluations
sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
E2614 Guide for Evaluation of Cleanroom Disinfectants
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this
E3106 Guide for Science-Based and Risk-Based Cleaning
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
Process Development and Validation
unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this
F3127 GuideforValidatingCleaningProcessesUsedDuring
document means only that the document has been approved
the Manufacture of Medical Devices
through the ASTM consensus process.
3. Terminology
1.6 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in
3.1.1 biosecurity, n—preventative measures designed to
this standard.
protect crops and property from the entry and spread of pests
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
and diseases.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.2 cleaning, v—physical removal of dirt, debris, and
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
other potential contaminants to the extent necessary for further
processing or intended use.
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D37 on Cannabis and
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D37.01 on Indoor and Outdoor For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Horticulture and Agriculture. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2019. Published February 2019. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
D8219-19. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D8219 − 19
3.1.3 contaminant, n—any material that potentially has 3.1.17 organic load, n—the level of organic material (that
adverse impacts on the functioning of, and/or shows an is,soil,nutrients,residues,plantmaterial,viruses,fungi,andso
undesirable interaction. A contaminant may be a single com- forth) on an item or in an area.
ponent or any combination of components. Examples of
3.1.18 pest, n—something that causes damage or interferes;
possible types of contaminants include: biological or non-
it can be a plant, vertebrate, invertebrate, nematode, pathogen,
biological in nature; living or dead; particles or thin films;
or any other unwanted organism.
solid, liquid, or gas; organic or inorganic. F3127
3.1.19 residue, n—a substance present on the surface of an
3.1.4 contact time, n—predetermined time that a test micro-
item or embedded therein that is not explicitly recognized and
organism is exposed to the activity of a test material.
defined as part of the item specification; it includes processing-
3.1.5 control, n—a state wherein correct procedures are based residues as well as contamination by environmental
being followed and criteria are being met. factors (adsorbates).
3.1.6 critical control point (CCP), n—a step at which 3.1.20 sanitizer, n—chemical or physical agent(s) used to
control can be applied and which is essential to prevent, reduce the number of microorganisms to a level judged to be
eliminate or reduce a hazard to an acceptable level. appropriate for a defined purpose and/or claim.
3.1.7 decontamination, n—the use of physical or chemical 3.1.21 soil load, n—a chemical or physical material(s)
means to remove, inactivate, or destroy microorganisms on a included in a test procedure to simulate an organic load,
surface/item so there are no infectious organisms and the conditions, or use. E2614
surface/item is rendered safe for handling, use, or disposal.
4. Summary of Guide
3.1.8 disinfectant, n—a physical or chemical agent or pro-
4.1 This guide is a collection of information provided to
cess that destroys pathogenic or potentially pathogenic micro-
increase the awareness of cleaning and disinfection techniques
organisms on inanimate surfaces or objects.
and products for cannabis cultivation facilities.
3.1.9 effıcacy, n—the proven performance of a product
5. Significance and Use
established under defined conditions.
3.1.10 fungus (s), fungi (pl.), n—eukaryotic, heterotrophic, 5.1 Cleaning and disinfecting are referred to as preventative
absorptive organisms that usually develop a rather diffuse, actions. For example, washing hands prevents illnesses and the
branched, tubular body (network of hyphae) and usually spread of infections to others (2). There are even laws written
around this. In the United States under federal law, you are
reproduce by means of spores (1) ; the terms ‘mold’ and
‘mildew’ are frequently used by laypersons when referring to entitled to a safe workplace. Your employer must provide a
workplace free of known health and safety hazards (3).In
various fungal colonization.
Canada, the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and
3.1.11 fungal spore, n—general term for a reproductive
Safety (CCOHS) indicates that poor housekeeping practices
structure in fungi; the spore is the structure that may be used
frequently contribute to incidents (4). More directly, it is very
for dissemination and reproduction and may be resistant to
intuitivethatacleanenvironmentisadvantageousregardlessof
adverse environmental conditions. D7338
the task at hand. Within a cultivation setting, cleaning and
3.1.12 hazard, n—a biological, chemical or physical agent
disinfection can also be used to prevent hazards such as:
orconditionwiththeintrinsiccapacitytocauseanunwantedor
disease, pests, and contamination.
adverse effect.
5.2 Cleaning and disinfecting are essential for cultivation
3.1.13 hazard analysis (HA), n—the process of collecting
biosecurity and can be utilized in many ways. For example,
and evaluating data and information on hazards and conditions
cleaning and disinfection can be incorporated into integrated
leading to their presence.
pest management (IPM) programs, as scheduled maintenance
3.1.14 hazard analysis-critical control point (HACCP),
(weekly floor cleaning), for specific events (prior to filling dry
n—a system which identifies, evaluates, and controls hazards
and cure spaces), or at critical control points (CCP) (elevated
which are significant.
fungal spore counts). This is an efficient, low-cost way to get
3.1.15 hypha (s), hyphae (pl.), n—tubular filament of fungal
rid of current pests and disease issues and to help prevent
cells; the basic vegetative structure of the body of fungi future issues or carry over between crop cycles (5).
(excluding yeasts). D7338
5.3 This guide presents information on techniques and
3.1.16 integrated pest management (IPM), n—an
products used for cleaning, disinfection, and mitigation of
ecologically-based strategy that focuses on the long-term
hazards.
managementofpestsortheirdamagethroughacombinationof
5.4 There are many important steps to any cleaning and
techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation,
disinfecting process. Those steps and some important concepts
modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties
will be discussed. Biosecurity is an integral investment. Costs
with minimal impact on human health, the environment and
associated with labor, chemicals, and loss in crop yield are
non-target organisms.
many times greater than the cost of prevention through
cleaning and disinfecting a cultivation facility. Without proper
measures, pest pressures increase, which can lead to unneces-
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
this standard. sary pesticide use. Prevention is also easier than addressing an
D8219 − 19
outbreak situation. The goal is not necessarily to completely during the early stages of flower. Trimming areas and dry and
sterilize the environment, but rather to decrease hazards to a cure spaces typically have elevated spore counts due to the
point at which outbreaks and disease transmissions do not large amount and physical manipulation of plants and flower.
occur. Cross-contamination from these areas can easily occur if
proper prevention is not considered. Threshold spore concen-
6. Identification Evaluation and Monitoring of Hazards trations in air and spore identification data should be consid-
ered as a CCP. When the threshold has been met, either
6.1 Ahazardisdefinedasabiological,chemical,orphysical
increase the scheduled maintenance or add a disinfection
agent or condition with the intrinsic capacity to cause an
protocol with a disinfectant that has claims against the specific
unwanted or adverse effect.
fungi identified. Pesticide use should only be considered as a
6.2 Thorough examination of a cultivation operation gives a
last resort.
good indication of where, when, and how hazards tend to
7. Cleaning
accumulate. In all instances, environmental factors, organic
load, and/or mineral deposits are major contributing factors.
7.1 Cleaning involves the physical removal of all unwanted
materials such as; soil, dirt, dust, debris, and organic materials.
6.3 Develop a program for the identification, evaluation,
The goal is to remove as much material as possible before
and monitoring of hazards. The program should be tailored to
disinfecting. Thoroughly cleaning has been estimated to re-
systematically identify the CCPs in which hazards can occur
move over 90 % of bacteria from surfaces (11). Disease-
and either be prevented, reduced, or maintained at acceptable
causing organisms, molds, and spores can be lodged on rafters,
levels.Also include the potential causes of each hazard, Guide
window ledges, grow lights, containers, tops of overhead
E3106. Similar programs have been developed for other
piping, and folds in plastic, among other areas.
industries and crops. This includes Hazard Analysis-Critical
Control Point (HACCP) programs adopted and integrated in
7.2 Physical removal is best achieved using a broom,
food manufacturing and cultivation industries (6). For further
shovel, scraper, and/or vacuum cleaner. Beware of the exhaust
insight on these type programs, refer to Guide E2590.
from a vacuum; mold spores and other airborne contaminants
may be too small for the filter of most vacuums. HEPA (high
6.4 Fungi:
efficiency particulate air) type filters are recommended. To
6.4.1 Fungiconstituteover25 %oftheworld’sbiomassand
qualify as HEPA by industry standards, an air filter must
are naturally present in all indoor and outdoor environments.
remove (from the air that passes through) 99.97 % of particles
Fungi spores are ubiquitous in air and settled dust. See Guide
that have a size greater-than-or-equal-to 0.3 µm (12).
D7338. Fungi are dispersed in the environment in several ways
and their dispersion depends on numerous conditions or fungal
7.3 Removelargermaterialfirst,andthenbeginatthetopof
features. Moreover, production and spore release vary drasti-
the space and work down, removing piles as they build up.
cally from species to species, which influences distribution in
Sweepdownwallsandinternalstructuresandcleanthefloorof
the air and on surfaces (7). Relative humidity (RH) and
all unwanted materials and organic matter.
temperature (T) are the most important environmental param-
7.4 The process of cleaning before disinfecting a cultivation
eters regulating spore production (8).
facility and equipment should not be overlooked as not doing
6.4.2 Fungi can be classified into two groups: those that
so leads to a buildup of residues that contain organic material
release spores during dry, windy conditions, for example,
and mineral salt deposits. The presence of these residues can
Alternaria and Cladosporium, and those that release spores
harbor microorganisms for long periods of time and interfere
when ambient humidity is high, for example, aspergillus and
with the antimicrobial activity of disinfectants. Most
oidium(9). Spore release of Botrytis was promoted largely by
commonly, interference occurs by means of a chemical reac-
declining RH, increasing T, and rain but occasionally by
tion between the disinfectant and the residue, resulting in a
increased RH (10).All the above-named fungi are known plant
complex that either has less of the active disinfectant or is
pathogens. In particular, strains of aspergillus are a major
completelyineffective.Alternatively,theseresiduescanprotect
concern due to the possible formation of mycotoxins, which
microorganisms from attack by acting as a physical barrier,
are toxic to humans.
protecting them from the action of the disinfectant (13).
6.4.3 Fungi monitoring should be done throughout the
7.5 Residues can be visible or invisible and alkaline or
facility. Collection of total airborne fungal structures can be
acidic. The primary source comes from the products that are
accomplishedwithinertialimpactionmethodologies.SeePrac-
grown, handled, and/or used within a given cultivation opera-
tice D7788. In addition, surface fungal material can be deter-
tion. High-pressure power-washing with soap and water is an
mined by tape lift methods. See Practice D7910. Neither of
option. Soap is especially useful in removing greasy deposits.
these two methods requires professional expertise, but it is
However,thoroughrinsingisneededbecausesoapresiduescan
recommended they be done by a Certified Industrial Hygienist
inactivate certain disinfectants. Extra care should be taken
with experience in mold assessment and abatement. For the
whencleaningareaswithporousand/ortexturedsurfaces,such
analysis (spore identification) and enumeration (concentration
as concrete and wood, under benches, and cracks or small
of spores in number of spores per volume of air), professional
spaces between equipment and structures.
expertiseisneeded.SeeTestMethodD7391andGuideD5791.
6.4.4 Monitoring for fungi is especially important in areas 7.6 Mineral salts from water residue, algal growth, nutrient
with flowering plants. Spikes in spore counts usually appear solutions, and cleaning compounds contribute to residues left
D8219 − 19
on surfaces and in areas that can harbor insects, bacteria, fungi, personnel (17, 18). Determine the possible exposures and
spores, and viruses. Algae under benches holds moisture, health and safety risks of each possible disinfectant.
which attracts insects that can potentially carry disease(s) from
8.2.3 Identify the Targeted Microorganism—Use a disinfec-
one area to another (14). tant that has a claim or is proven effective against the identified
microorganism(s) with associated contact times.
7.7 Irrigation systems are another major source of contami-
8.2.4 Determine the goal of the disinfection process. For
nation. Mineral salt deposits and organic growth can accumu-
example, scheduled maintenance, prevention of disease, mini-
lateandcreatebiofilmcontamination.Biofilmcontaminationis
mize disease, or control a disease outbreak.
typically very difficult to remove with a disinfectant alone.The
8.2.5 Environmental issues must be considered. A microor-
selective oxidizer chlorine dioxide (ClO ) is a good option;
ganism’s susceptibility to disinfectants can vary in their ability
concentrations as low as 50 ppm can remove biofilms and
to survive or propagate in an environment, that is, grow media,
concentrations as low as 1 ppm can prevent their formation
debris, surfaces, the air, and the microorganism’s potential
altogether (15).Productscontaininghydrogenperoxide(H O )
2 2
modes of transmission (19). Some microorganisms can create
mixtures with peracetic acid (CH CO H) at concentrations of
3 3
a biofilm that protects them from contact with a particular
800 ppm are also effective at removing biofilms with 300 ppm
disinfectant(s).
used for prevention (16). Cleaning and disinfecting the entire
8.2.6 Organic Load—Removal of all organic material prior
irrigation system is one of the only ways to dissolve these
to application is essential. This is the cleaning step that is
deposits and kill the organisms that colonize and propagate
required for proper use of any disinfectant and is found in the
within them.
label instructions. Without precleaning, most disinfectants will
7.8 Install physical weed mat barriers if floors are bare dirt
be consumed by these materials, effectively decreasing the
or gravel, and repair existing mats. Weed barriers prevent
concentration and efficacy. These materials can create a physi-
weeds and make it easier to manage algae growth.Avoid using
cal barrier that protects microorganisms from contact with the
stoneontopoftheweedmat,whichwilltrapsoilandmoisture,
disinfectant. The disinfectant must physically contact the
which can create an ideal environment for mold, diseases,
microorganism to be effective.
insects, and algae to grow.
8.2.7 Surface Topography—The type of surface can have a
great impact on efficacy. Porous, cracked, uneven, and espe-
7.9 Always use benches and work tables made of stainless
cially wood surfaces can harbor microorganisms. These sur-
steel or some other hard non-porou
...