Preventive Biocidal Surfaces: A Definition in 4 Parts

What makes a surface a Preventive | Biocidal Surface^TM? Four critical characteristics: It is registered by the EPA for public health claims. It actively kills harmful bacteria*. It continues cleaning even after recontamination. Finally, it requires no additional human processes - it performs its sanitizing simply by being installed. 

Preventive: A surface that works continuously, without the need of additional human processes, thus serving as a preventive measure aimed at controlling the spread of infection.

Biocidal: A surface that actively kills >99.9% of harmful bacteria*

As we explored in an earlier post, sometimes a product forces a market segment to expand by introducing never-before-seen characteristics in a traditional material. In the case of Preventive | Biocidal Surfaces^TM, there are four characteristics that set this material apart.

#1. A Preventive | Biocidal Surface^TM is EPA-Registered for Public Health Claims.

A Preventive | Biocidal Surfaces^TM is a unique, copper oxide-infused surface that has achieved an Environmental Protection Agency Registration for Public Health Claims. Some products contain an EPA-registered ingredient that protects the product from mildew or odor. A Preventive | Biocidal Surface^TM itself is registered with the EPA and allowed to make public health claims such as "Kills >99.9% of harmful bacteria*  in under 2 hours." Why does this registration enable a product to make such critical claims? Because the registration process involves grueling tests that measure efficacy under conditions many times more challenging than real life scenarios. These tests are performed over a long period of time and on countless thousands of samples. Each and every test must be completed successfully in order to receive the registration for public health claims. As a result, a Preventive | Biocidal Surfaces^TM can state that it kills harmful bacteria* because it has been proven (and proven, and proven, and proven) to do so.

* The asterisk references the exact organisms required in testing to cover the range of all harmful bacteria.

#2. A Preventive | Biocidal Surface^TM actively kills harmful bacteria*.

APreventive | Biocidal Surfaces^TM actively kills disease-causing bacteria* in under two hours of exposure. Its preventive qualities are derived from copper-oxide’s inherent ability to kill harmful bacteria* (not just slow or inhibit the growth of bacteria).. The copper oxide kills the bacteria* cells through five "kill mechanisms" which involve poisoning the cell, disrupting bacterial DNA, and weakening cell structures through free radicals. While highly destructive to bacterial cells, the copper in this surface is completely safe to humans. Not only is copper an essential metal to humans (necessary for our survival) the copper in this surface is bonded at the molecular level and cannot leak out of the material. 

#3: A Preventive | Biocidal Surface^TM works continuously, even after recontamination.

APreventive | Biocidal Surfaces^TM harnesses the power of the copper oxide indefinitely and results in a surface that works continuously, around the clock, to eliminate bacteria* that survives on other surfaces for several months. It does this even after recontamination, truly setting this surface apart from others. While all other surface sanitizers are applied with routien cleanings or in the event of a spill, this surface is always present, always working. The naturally occurring biocidal properties of copper oxide, when infused throughout the surfaces, create a material that provides added protection against harmful pathogens in environments where traffic is high, bacteria* are present, and especially where individuals are most vulnerable, such as hospitals and other healthcare settings.  Preventive | Biocidal Surfaces™ are an effective front-line defense against the transfer of germs and bacteria through the continuous elimination of harmful bacteria*.

#4: A Preventive | Biocidal Surface^TM works without added human processes: hands-free, touch-free, durable.

APreventive | Biocidal Surfaces^TM works actively, continuously, and without the need for any extra human processes after installation. A healthcare facility would continue to wash and wipe it just as it would any other surface, but between cleanings - and for the lifetime of the product - the surface destroys bacteria* without any extra steps. There is no need to replace an adhesive sticker, reapply a coating, refinish a surface, apply a special cleaner, hire specially-trained personnel, or continue purchasing expensive elements. There is no need to empty the room while it works, send it away for professional upkeep, or train staff in proper maintenance. A truePreventive | Biocidal Surfaces^TM performs as well the day that it was installed as it does ten, even twenty years down the line, actively and continuously killing more than 99.9% of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria* within two hours of exposure, even after recontamination.

The Environmental Protection Agency considersPreventive | Biocidal Surfaces^TM a sanitizer, placing them next to spray cleaners and UV devices. The healthcare marketplace considers Preventive | Biocidal Surfaces^TM an environmental product, alongside disinfecting wipes and autoclaves. But unlike these other sanitizers,Preventive | Biocidal Surfaces^TM are continuous cleaners and they work independently, touch-free. While these four components alone create an innovative product, check out the link below to learn about another - the 5th characteristic that makesPreventive | Biocidal Surfaces^TM essential where form and function matter.

Editor's Note: This post was originally published in May 2015 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy and comprehensiveness. 

*Testing demonstrates effective antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), Enterobacter aerogenes (ATCC 13048), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA-ATCC 33592), Escherichia coli O157:H7 (ATCC 35150) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442).