Anti Bacterial Paint Finish Kills MRSA

Background- 'Bacteria'

In the last few years the threat of bacteria in the environment has grown, as has public awareness. There is underlying proof that certain environments are more susceptible to the major strains of bacteria.

The media have named these bacteria "Superbugs".

Superbugs affect 100,000 people causing an estimated 5,000 deaths every year.
(Department Of Health)

Since 1990 cases have increased nineteen fold.
(Health Protection Agency)

Superbugs cost the government an estimated £1 billion every year.
(Department Of Health)

Sectors at risk are public buildings: where a large number of people interact, schools, laboratories, food preparation areas, retail outlets and hospitals: where children and the elderly are most affected by HAI (Hospital Acquired Infections).

It is not only the build up of bacterial growth that is invisible to all but also the way it spreads within the environment. Air conditioning, human interaction and un-sterilised/ un-clean products all add to the spread of bacteria. Although there are ways of treating these "Superbugs" some particularly strains of Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) are resistant to commonly used antibiotics.

In a typical hospital or school only the best is good enough when setting hygiene standards and protecting the working environment; floors, walls, ceilings and operational equipment. Designers are striving to provide the best possible preventative solutions. The use of transferable technologies such as metal walls and anti-bacterial coatings can help inhibit the potential invisible risk.

USE
Public Environments (Airports, Offices, Government Buildings, Washrooms and lobbies)
In an environment where many people are commuting or making use of the same facilities the specification of high performance easy to clean products is essential. The climate of such an environment also dictates the cleaning standards to be high. These public places are significantly open to cross contamination.

Laboratories and Clean Rooms
These highly demanding environments need to be free of any contamination that could threaten the activity that is undertaken or the people within them. These spaces often have to be completely sterile and products used within them have to be specified in accordance with stringent cleaning procedures. Traditionally these environments are subject to a high level of use and have to be maintenance sympathetic.

Food Industry
Whether food preperation, processing, storage or retail the risk of contamination in the food industry is always high. When preparing food for consumption the environment has to be specified with products that ensure the chance of cross contamination through air conditioning and condensation is limited.
Hospitals and Schools
Due to the development of cleaning and infection control procedures within hospitals and healthcare facilities the importance of specifying the best possible solution is paramount. Maintaining a public space and restricting the spread of numerous infection is extremely difficult.
Continuous hand washing, cleaning of associated equipment in working environments and using any protective products (i.e. gloves) are all foundations of the ongoing procedures that are currently being developed to inhibit the cross contamination of bacteria such as MRSA.
Schools are also at risk from cross contamination. In a demanding, high use environment it is important for any potential risk to people and particulary children to be reduced.
Anti Bacterial Paint Finish acts as an additional supplement to effective cleaning reducing the risk of the growth and spread of bacteria throughout a building. It has been estimated that hospital-acquired infections, cost the NHS around £1 billion a year.
An Anti Bacterial Solution

The ability to control or inhibit the growth of bacteria is a subject matter that has new significance. Researched and developed in recent years there are already a number of anti-bacterial and anti-fungal coatings available for different building products across a variety of sectors especially healthcare.

In conjunction with Akzo Nobel (the worlds largest powder coatings manufacturer) and by using Interpon AB polyester powder coatings, we are now able to offer an anti-bacterial solution for metal walls and architectural products in working environments.

Hygienic coatings are preferred as part of a controlled approach to cleaner facilities. Easy clean coatings that are resistant to routine and efficient disinfecting chemicals exist but coatings with active anti-bacterial properties provide extra protection for wall finishes.

It should be recognised that the coating has totally different performance criteria to the anti-fungal support claims made by other manufacturers.

Validation Statement

Akzo Nobel Powder Coatings have developed Interpon AB anti-bacterial powder coatings for use in a range of applications requiring sustainable anti-bacterial activity. The anti-bacterial performance of these coatings has been tested by Law Laboratories, an independent test laboratory specialising in testing of materials for food and hygienic applications. Coated test panels and product coated by the customer have been tested using internationally recognised test protocols agreed with our customers. Akzo Nobel Powder Coatings adopts the principle of having independent testing of every first batch of manufactured product before it is released to the customer to ensure the product has the required anti-bacterial activity. Tests have shown that Interpon AB is "microbiologically acceptable" when tested against organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus (resistant strain), Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enteritidis and Escherichia coli. The lifetime expectancy of Interpon AB coated products are clearly important. Tests on coated products that have been in service for 4 years, along with ongoing tests on laboratory prepared panels using a test protocol agreed with Law Laboratories are demonstrating an excellent lifetime expectancy. Further details of the test results are shown in the validation test certificates from Law Laboratories, available upon request.


For more information please contact

Norwood Partition Solutions Ltd, Unit 14B, Mallard Court, Crewe Business Park, Crewe, CW1 6ZQ
T: 0870 240 6405, F: 0870 240 6407, W: www.norwood.co.uk