INFECTION CONTROL
on the material; specifically, a reduction in microbes of up to 86% in 15 minutes and 99.5% in just two hours.
n Keeps product fresher for longer: by hosting fewer microbes, products incorporating biocides are less likely to be vulnerable to stains or odours caused by microbial activity. When applying biocides to textiles, for example, this benefit stands to have a significant impact for product users. (The benefits are outlined in a recent BioCote ‘blog’ that discusses the uses and benefits of antimicrobial textile protection:
www.biocote.com/blog/ fabric- protection).
n Extends the product’s usable lifetime: by protecting it from microbial activity that can lead to material degradation and early product failure. There is also a positive environmental effect, in terms of having to replace materials less frequently.
n Easier to keep hygienically clean: effective cleaning is key for any hygiene-conscious environment, be that for infection control in the healthcare industry, or food safety in the food and beverage industry. Antimicrobial additives are not intended to replace cleaning regimes; rather they are there to support by adding a second layer of defence and assisting cleaning regimes in the effective disinfection of surfaces.
n Reduces the potential for cross- contamination: Protecting surfaces with biocides, which actively and continually reduce the number of microbes on them, can have an impact on the transfer of microbes from one surface to another. By having fewer microbes on the products, the antimicrobial additives create surfaces that pose less of a risk as a point of microbial contamination. It is this benefit, alongside effective cleaning regimes and robust hand hygiene, that create the ultimate hygienic solution for an infection control protocol. To see a demonstration, take a look at BioCote hospital case study, at:
www.biocote.com/case-studies/hospital
BioCote advocates the use of biocides that are both regulatory-compliant and appropriate for the intended application. As with almost any product, there are antimicrobial additives that are supplied irresponsibly and non-compliantly into the market. This is not a reason, however, to forego biocide use altogether, but rather to strongly advocate that those considering using a biocide do so from a responsible and informed position. That is why companies considering using biocides should seek professional specification and validation services from credible additive suppliers to ensure the use of the correct biocide for the particular application. I will now address some of the specific points in Altro’s article.
36 Health Estate Journal April 2020
This kitchen incorporates a combination of Altro Stronghold 30 slip-resistant vinyl flooring, Altro Whiterock Satins satin finish wall sheets, and Altro Whiterock Digiclad custom-printed decorative wall panels.
Topic area one: Regulatory-based objections to biocides’ use: ‘Biocides are under-regulated’: The supply and use of any chemical, including biocides, should be clearly and robustly regulated. In the US, biocidal regulations have been long established under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). In the European Union, the use and supply of biocides was initially regulated by the Biocidal Products Directive (BPD). This was then superseded by today’s regulation, the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR), which has been applicable since 2013. The BPR not only covers the use and supply of biocides, but extends biocidal regulations to govern the products in which biocides are included, or ‘treated articles’. The BPR dictates that if a product contains a biocide, then that biocide should be registered for the purpose it is being used for, for example in-can preservatives. However, different regions have their own regulations that cover the supply and use of biocides. Insufficient regulations in certain regions, or non-compliance with existing regulations, do create frustrations within the market, but are not reasons not to use biocides. Instead, they support a strong argument to use antimicrobial solutions suppliers that offer compliant products and offer services to support messages going out to market. For BioCote commentary on the BPR, visit:
www.biocote.com/blog/biocidal- products-regulation-bpr
ECHA banning the use of silver in disinfectants: In the EU, if a company includes a biocide in a product, it must be approved for use within the product category allocated for that particular product application. There are 22 product
categories under the BPR that lay out the acceptable applications of biocides. The decision from the BPC in October 2018 not to approve three types of silver-based biocide for a specific product category is a demonstration of the robust regulatory process that exists within the EU. In this particular case, the decision was made because of the lack of data to show that using those biocides was sufficiently effective in achieving the application defined within product category 2 (‘disinfectants not intended for use directly on humans or animals’). While this signified that there is no supporting data that the three biocides in question achieve that goal when included into products to disinfect the surfaces, this does not indicate that the chemicals have been banned for all use.
A diminishing effect over time Altro is not using biocides, but is claiming efficacy against MRSA and E. coli. Even without the inclusion of biocides, there are some products, such as PVC, that often demonstrate a ‘natural’ antibacterial efficacy immediately post-manufacture. However, it is rare for these inherent properties to provide a lasting, reliable, and effective antimicrobial performance for the product lifetime. As the material releases all of its bacteria-killing substance, the antimicrobial effect normally diminishes over time, and then stops altogether.
The Biocidal Products Regulation stipulates that for a company to claim antimicrobial efficacy for its products, it must have included a biocide that has been registered or notified for that specific use. Take a silicone sealant for bathrooms for example, that includes a
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