ASTM E 2520 : 2007

1.1 This practice is primarily intended to assist first responders and security screeners in verifying the minimum acceptable performance of detectors used to identify traces of high explosives such as cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX), pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), and trinitrotoluene (TNT). These explosive detectors may be based on, but are not limited to, ion mobility spectrometry (IMS).

1.2 This practice is used to evaluate the detector response to evaporated residues of low-concentration solutions of explosive compounds placed on test swipes. The solutions used for this evaluation are prepared in a suitable organic solvent and contain a single high explosive.

1.3 This practice does not address or use sampling procedures common to the use of trace explosive detectors. It only tests the response of the detector once a test swipe has been successfully introduced into the explosive detector.

1.4 This practice does not evaluate the effect of contaminants or interferences that may be encountered in sampling for trace explosives in the field.

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

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.