INFECTION CONTROL
atmospheric humidity, i.e. the amount of moisture in a regular room environment, as shown in BioCote case studies in schools and offices. The most commonly used, internationally recognised, test method that determines the antimicrobial efficacy of a surface creates optimal conditions for bacteria to thrive and allows the collection of meaningful results in testing. Part of those conditions includes a high humidity level, but also temperature and food source. The rationale behind testing under those conditions is that if the bacteria can be killed under conditions that give them the optimal chance of survival, the likelihood of reduction increases when placed on the same surface under adverse conditions for the bacteria.
Real-life and laboratory settings On the face of it, a real-life case study will ostensibly deliver a lower percentage reduction in live bacteria on protected surfaces, for example perhaps a 92% reduction vs a laboratory result of 99%. This difference in reduction here is not a demonstration of the biocide not working, but in fact quite the opposite. In a laboratory setting, the surface is undisturbed for a certain time to obtain an accurate measurement in the reduction of bacteria. In real life, surfaces are subject to interference from numerous sources: human activity, pets, HVAC systems, and cleaning regimes. These are called variables, with some being controllable, but others less so. Each variable has the potential to impact the results; for example humans represent the biggest variable of all, as they will regularly contaminate a surface at uneven intervals. Other key variables include the proximity to contamination when the data is taken – usually a swab is used, as well as how often a surface is cleaned, and when the cleaning takes place in relation to the actual data collection.
‘Silver based biocides pose a risk to health and environment’ It is important to acknowledge that ‘natural’ does not always mean ‘better ‘for human beings. There are many ‘natural’ chemicals in the world that are not healthy for humans. There are even many chemicals, both natural and synthetic, that are healthy in small doses, but toxic in large ones, for example paracetamol. A chemical could also occur naturally, but the compound in a product can be man- made. It is also worth noting that synthetic chemicals have to undergo quality control checks, and stringent manufacturing processes, as well as complying with strict legislation to make a pure product. Thus, natural isn’t necessarily a better choice over synthetic – it’s important to evaluate all aspects of
Lucy Bilotto
Lucy Bilotto is European Marketing manager for Altro, based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire. After qualifying in Law at Leicester University, she worked for 13 years in the financial services sector, progressing to management roles in training and customer contact centres. Since joining Altro in 2001, she has has specialised in marketing and communications for the Altro ranges of flooring and wallcoverings. Her role encompasses international positioning of the Altro portfolio across all market sectors, with strategic responsibility for aspects of communication, brand development, and product innovation. She has been involved in Altro’s project to monitor biocide use in floor and wallcoverings for over a decade, and policy in this field is constantly under review by the scientific community. This update, written in January 2020, represents the most recent scientific findings at the time of writing. A further update will, of course, be embarked upon once research findings relating to COVID-19 have been published.
Jennifer Collier
Jennifer Collier is the Partner Development manager at BioCote. Her role is to support customers by delivering a wide range of services to the BioCote Partner Network. Her education in English Literature and Law gives her key analytical and problem-solving skills, and her knowledge of British Sign Language has further enhanced her focus on effective communication. Having worked with customers across multiple industries, she has a true understanding of the benefits that antimicrobial technology can have in its multitude of applications.
a chemical and follow the guidelines provided when using them.
Introducing antimicrobial properties to a surface using a silver-based biocide requires a surprisingly small amount of the chemical. Materials containing silver- based biocides have to hold approvals for contact with food and drinking water that have been assessed and granted by some of the same authorities that made decisions to remove other types of antimicrobials from the market. These approvals are obtained because there is proof that the migratory behaviour of silver-based biocides is below the acceptable limit determined by the regulations.
BioCote encourages any companies that have questions about the inclusion of a biocide into products to contact us for further information. In these unprecedented times, the BioCote team recommends that businesses follow the latest advice from their Governments, as well as guidance from the World Health Organization. BioCote additives, or any built-in biocides, are not designed to replace cleaning, but instead are there
to support it and deliver a second line of defence. By making your product more hygienic, you are making it easier to keep clean. We continue to support our customers in bringing better hygiene worldwide, working hard to educate communities about the benefits of using antimicrobial technologies.
References 1 World Health Organization factsheet. Antimicrobial resistance, 15 February 2018 (
https://www.who.int/en/news- room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial- resistance)
2 Wesgate R, Grasha P, Maillard J-Y. Use of a predictive protocol to measure the antimicrobial resistance risks associated with biocidal product usage. Am J Infect Control 2016; 44 (4): 458-64. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2015.11.009. Epub 2016 Jan 22.
3 European Chemical Agency Biocidal Products Committee. Opinion on the application for approval of the active substance: Silver sodium hydrogen zirconium phosphate, Product type: 2. ECHA/BPC/211/2018, 17 October 2018.
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