INFECTION CONTROL
nearly a decade, so our policies reflect our response to the latest research from academics and regulatory bodies. Traditionally, customers have been keen to have antibacterial additives included in wall and floorcoverings. In an industry sector where research and technology are advancing rapidly, it is understandable that suppliers and specifiers welcomed this apparent opportunity to solve major issues. Our technical teams follow scientific and regulatory evidence relating to our products on an ongoing basis, however, as part of our duty to customers and end-users. So, a key question for us has been whether it would be better to remove biocides from all of our product ranges, irrespective of customer demand.
New testing protocols
A breakthrough in recent years has been the development, by scientists, of new testing protocols for biocides, which are revealing new insights and calling earlier findings into question. Responding to the latest evidence from teams of academics and bodies such as the ECHA BPC, we decided back in 2012 that inclusion of biocides could be discontinued in our resilient flooring ranges as they had no positive impact on hygiene. Use of biocides in Altro wall cladding products was also reviewed. In 2012 we decided to exclude biocides when designing new Altro wall cladding ranges, and began to supply specific geographical markets (notably the USA and Nordic markets) with biocide-free materials. Today we do not include any biocides in our products. Inclusion of biocides is only one aspect of infection control, however. We continue to focus on hygiene as a key aspect of our research and development. Using the latest testing protocols, Altro
Whiterock (without a biocide) was recently shown in tests to be up to 99.99% effective against MRSA, and 99.89% effective against E. coli, indicating levels of infection control equal to those claimed by manufacturers incorporating biocides, without the associated risks to health and the environment. It is also important to mention that, depending on the progress of research teams across the world, our policy on biocides could change over time. There have been exciting discoveries regarding new types of ‘eco-benign’ biocides, based on plant- based ingredients, which could possibly play a role in infection control in our products in the future.
Not a ‘silver bullet’
In conclusion, research involving currently available additives suggests that specifiers and customers should not consider biocides a ‘silver bullet’, but-end customers can continue to rely on solid gold best practice for all areas where infection prevention is paramount. Firstly, research has confirmed the critical importance of hand hygiene, which has been shown to have far greater impact on infection control than was generally thought. Secondly, irrespective of whether biocides are incorporated into products, good cleaning regimes, that physically remove the microbes from surfaces, remain the most effective way to ensure hygiene criteria are met, even in critical hygiene areas. To make this possible it is advisable to look for impervious, grout-free wall coverings, such as Altro Whiterock, with a smooth, easy-to-clean surface. A thorough cleaning regime on impervious surfaces such as this, with supporting good hand hygiene, is the answer.
The BioCote view
The term ‘antimicrobial’ is used to describe a substance that kills microbes. As an antimicrobial solutions provider, the kind of antimicrobials that BioCote supplies can also be referred to as additives, active substances, or biocides. Once manufactured appropriately into materials such as plastics or paints, our products are chemicals that give products an antimicrobial performance, reducing microbe volumes on the protected surface.
The main assumption from Altro – that the only reason a company would incorporate a biocide is for infection control – is a common misconception. In fact, antimicrobial additives are not effective against infections or diseases; that’s what antimicrobial medicines such as antibiotics are for. Additives are only effective against the microbes that can cause the infections. When discussing this topic, it is critical to distinguish between the different kinds of antimicrobial technologies and their suitable applications. You wouldn’t, for example, consume a cleaning chemical to treat an infection, as the consequences would be catastrophic.
Arguments centre on the problems that biocides address
The arguments for using biocides lie in the problems biocides address. Microbes such as bacteria and mould have many effects, not all negative, despite the most well- known one being that they can make people ill. For instance, they can also cause terrible odours, and irremovable staining. Another perhaps less well-known impact is their potential ability to compromise the mechanical properties of a product, which can lead to early product failure. With polymers, for example, microbes do this by drawing nutrients from the material, creating weaknesses within the structure, and resulting in a shorter product lifespan. An obvious example of microbes causing early product failure would be a silicone sealant in a bathroom or shower environment, but a less obvious example would be the accelerated corrosion of concrete due to microbial activity.
Multi-faceted effects
Altro Stronghold 30 slip-resistant vinyl flooring and Altro Whiterock White ‘impact- resistant, impermeable’ wall cladding used in a catering environment.
Introducing a biocide to products that face problems caused by microbes is a strong argument for their use. Their effects are multi-faceted, because controlling microbial growth on a surface will not only help address the problem, but will also deliver the following end-user benefits: n Makes the product more hygienic: if a product contains a biocide, its surface will be inherently more hygienic. The biocide is working around the clock to actively reduce the number of microbes
April 2020 Health Estate Journal 35
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