ASTM D8219-19

5.1 Cleaning and disinfecting are referred to as preventative actions. For example, washing hands prevents illnesses and the spread of infections to others 5.2 Cleaning and disinfecting are essential for cultivation biosecurity and can be utilized in many ways. For example, cleaning and disinfection can be incorporated into integrated pest management (IPM) programs, as scheduled maintenance (weekly floor cleaning), for specific events (prior to filling dry and cure spaces), or at critical control points (CCP) (elevated fungal spore counts). This is an efficient, low-cost way to get rid of current pests and disease issues and to help prevent future issues or carry over between crop cycles (5) .

5.3 This guide presents information on techniques and products used for cleaning, disinfection, and mitigation of hazards.

5.4 There are many important steps to any cleaning and disinfecting process. Those steps and some important concepts will be discussed. Biosecurity is an integral investment. Costs associated with labor, chemicals, and loss in crop yield are 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 unnecessary pesticide use. Prevention is also easier than addressing an outbreak situation. The goal is not necessarily to completely sterilize the environment, but rather to decrease hazards to a point at which outbreaks and disease transmissions do not occur.

1.1 The purpose of this guide is to provide a collection of information and a range of options for cleaning and disinfecting a cannabis cultivation center, including the prevention of hazards such as: disease, pests, and contamination.

1.2 This guide addresses techniques and considerations for cleaning, as well as information on disinfection products and techniques.

1.3 This guide is not intended for stewardship of cleaning and housekeeping operations. Refer to Guide E1971 for more information on general janitorial type cleaning.

1.4 This guide does not recommend a specific course of action due to the wide variety of circumstances and differences from one cultivation center to another. As such, it is not possible to describe a set of universal steps that will always be performed (that is, a standard practice); therefore, the user of this guide must decide what is appropriate for a given situation or location.

1.5 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.

1.6 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.7 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.8 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.