Sterile touch points

2019-11-13T09:57:06Z

NanoLand: Created page with "Today's FM need to be conscious of many trends: sustainability, energy efficiency, environmental standards, compassion in farming, climate change, air quality and so on. The pre..."

Today's FM need to be conscious of many trends: sustainability, energy efficiency, environmental standards, compassion in farming, climate change, air quality and so on.

The presence and spread of pathogenic microorganisms in our environment is still a present and growing problem and one further exacerbated by the development of microbial resistance to antibiotics and disinfectants.

Work environments give little consideration to employee health and cross-infection; absenteeism and presenteeism (sickness at work) which cost companies millions of pounds in lost productivity every year. It is claimed that 80% of colds, flu and sickness in general are caused by cross-contamination; surfaces that are contaminated in the workplace which help spread infection. This could be door handles, stair rails, lift control buttons, digital entry points, taps, keyboards, toilets etc. Bacterium can double within 20 to 30 minutes, meaning that one bacterium turns into two, then two become four, leading eventually to the formation of millions of cells in a few hours. Office environments: temperature and air systems are ideal for growing and spreading bacteria, viral and fungal spores.

So what can be done to mitigate the risk of cross-infection?

The solution itself is quite simple and environmentally friendly in application. All potential cross-contamination touch points in buildings need to be coated with an invisible eco- varnish that eliminates bacterial adhesion, preventing their multiplication. These sterile touch points are not contaminated by air or infected individuals. The ability to eradicate all dangerous gram negative and gram positive bacteria will depend on the degree of hydrophobic functionality of the microbiota barrier varnish, enabling the right surface tension to exist. The more hydrophobic bacteria cells adhere more strongly to hydrophobic surfaces, while hydrophilic cells strongly adhere to hydrophilic surfaces.

These novel microbiota barrier coatings are market ready and available from CitroxBiosciences Ltd, Kimbolton Cambridgeshire. Tel 020 3287 9234. They are easy to apply and last from six months to years depending on surface abrasion. More details from Richard Thomas, CEO ,CitroxBiosciences Ltd. richardh@citroxbio.co.uk

[[Category:Conservation]]

Designing Buildings - User contributions [en]

Sterile touch points