Ancient technique now cutting-edge germ fighting weapon

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http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-05/kc-wog050903.php

 

 

Public release date: 9-May-2003

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Contact: Kirk Monroe

kirk

202-331-0175

K-M Communications

 

War on germs gets cutting-edge weapon from ancient world technique

Antimicrobial powder coating for hospitals, homes uses silver --

Germ fighter pioneered by Egyptians, Phoenicians

 

Alexandria, VA – May 9, 2003 – Ancient Egyptians used it to keep

food supplies safe from fungus and mold. The Phoenicians used it to

keep water from being spoiled by germs. Today silver is a key

ingredient in new high-tech, powder coated finishes that hospitals

and doctor's offices are using to protect walls, counters and other

germ-gathering surfaces. Tomorrow those finishes may be used in home

kitchens, bathrooms and on a wide variety of surfaces such as

doorknobs, handles and push panels.

" These new finishes are an important tool in preventing the growth

of microbes in or on commercial and consumer products such as HVAC

systems, food service equipment, refrigerators and humidifiers, for

use in hospitals, commercial buildings and homes, " says Dr. Ravi

Bhatkal of AgION Technologies, Inc.

 

The new finishes have been developed by the manufacturers of powder

coating, an advanced method of finishing a wide range of materials

and products. In powder coating, often called " dry painting, " tiny

dry particles of pigment and resin are given an electric charge,

then sprayed on to a wide variety of consumer and industrial

products. The electrostatic charge makes the powder particles stick

to the surface. When heated in an oven, the powder is permanently

fused into a uniform, durable, high-quality coating.

 

Long praised as a virtually pollution-free process that protects

products from chips, scratches and stains, the new germ fighting

powder coatings use silver as their key antimicrobial ingredient.

Silver's protective benefits have been known since ancient times.

And it's especially useful today, when germs are becoming

increasingly resistant to modern antibiotics.

 

" Research shows that the mechanisms by which silver ions act against

microbes are different than those by which antibiotics act, "

explains Dr. Bhatkal of AgION Technologies. " Silver also has

multiple mechanisms of action. Use of silver as an antimicrobial is

therefore unlikely to promote antibiotic resistance " .

 

The new finishes have also been formulated to be effective long

term. According to Greg Bocchi, Executive Director of The Powder

Coating Institute, " Powder coating manufacturers have extended the

protective life of the new finishes by developing an inorganic,

ceramic additive that ensures the slow release of silver ions over a

long period of time. "

 

Antimicrobial powder coatings are currently in use at the new City

of Hope's Helford Clinical Research Hospital in Duarte, California,

on ductwork, door handles and hardware and push plates. Other

hospitals and clinics are looking into using antimicrobial powder

coated materials in emergency rooms, surgery areas and patients

rooms, on cabinets, counters and other surfaces.

 

" These powder coatings just give us one more weapon against germs, "

says University of Arizona Microbiologist Dr. Charles Gerba, " They

literally create self-sanitizing surfaces that require less time in

cleaning and give us all greater peace of mind. "

 

These uses appear to be just the start. Bosch and Siemens in Munich,

Germany, is applying antimicrobial powder coating to the interior of

refrigerators. Honeywell Corporation, in this country, is using

powder coating to coat portable, air-blown humidifiers where wicks

soak up water, which can provide a breeding ground for germs.

 

And in the Los Angeles area, AK Coatings is setting up a special

Concept Home to field test antimicrobial powder coatings in high-

touch areas on a wide variety of surfaces such as door knobs,

handles and push panels, as well as on metal panels and railings

inside the home's elevator.

 

 

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Editors: To request photos, interviews, or for more information on

powder coating, please contact: Kirk Monroe, 202-331-0175, or via

email at kirk

 

To learn more about powder coating, go to:

http://www.powdercoating.org

 

 

 

 

 

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