What is Anti-bacterial Paint, and does it work?
Chicago Paint Crew a residential painting specialist in Chicago, has been applying anti-bacterial paints for years to address health concerns. Recently, the use of these paints has become mandatory in many hospitals, and for good reason: they help protect patients. This raises the question of whether a Chicago residential home should also adopt anti-bacterial paints. Let’s take a closer look at their effectiveness on painting bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, basements, how they work, and the associated costs.
How Cost-Effective are Antimicrobial Paints for Hospitals, and Do They Work?
Antibacterial paint prevents sickness by incorporating antimicrobial agents that actively inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria on surfaces. These agents, often silver ions, disrupt bacteria’s ability to reproduce, reducing contamination in high-contact areas like hospitals and schools. By continuously killing bacteria, the paint lowers the risk of spreading infections through surface contact, creating a safer, cleaner environment. While not replacing hygiene practices, it adds an extra layer of protection against illness transmission.
Chicago Paint Crew principal George Crew has been painting for over 30 years and completed numerous commercial projects using antimicrobial paints are designed to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, mold, and fungi on painted surfaces. Chicago Paint Crew has been using Sherwin Williams AM (Antimicrobial Paint additive) that can be added to any paint and surface below is provided the testing they have done in there brochure provided.
In hospital settings, where infection control is paramount, these paints can serve as an additional line of defense against pathogens. However, when evaluating their cost-effectiveness, several factors need to be considered, including their efficacy, initial cost, and long-term benefits.
Do Antimicrobial Paints Work?
Antimicrobial paints are generally effective at reducing the growth of microbes on painted surfaces, but their effectiveness depends on the specific formulation and environmental conditions. Most antimicrobial paints contain additives like silver ions or copper compounds that inhibit the reproduction of bacteria and fungi.
Key Points on Effectiveness:
- Limited Scope: Antimicrobial paints can only prevent microbial growth on the surface they are applied to. They do not kill airborne pathogens or those that live on non-painted surfaces like hospital equipment or fabrics.
- Duration of Effectiveness: The effectiveness of antimicrobial paints can diminish over time as the active agents wear down, though many manufacturers claim efficacy for several years.
- Complement to Other Infection Control Measures: Antimicrobial paints should not be seen as a replacement for proper sanitation practices, sterilization procedures, or other infection control protocols. They are meant to complement existing methods, not replace them.
Cost-Effectiveness of Antimicrobial Paints in Hospitals
When it comes to cost-effectiveness, there are several factors to weigh:
1. Initial Costs
Antimicrobial paints are more expensive than traditional paints, often costing 20–50% more per gallon, depending on the brand and the specific antimicrobial additives used.
2. Long-Term Benefits
- Reduced Infection Rates: While it is difficult to measure the direct impact of antimicrobial paints on infection rates, they can contribute to a cleaner environment, potentially reducing the number of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Fewer infections could lead to shorter patient stays, lower treatment costs, and reduced medical liability, which may offset the higher upfront cost.
- Maintenance Savings: Antimicrobial paints can also reduce the need for frequent cleaning or repainting due to mold or bacterial buildup, particularly in high-humidity areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, or operating rooms.
3. Return on Investment (ROI)
While there is an initial higher cost for purchasing antimicrobial paint, the ROI can be significant if the paint contributes to lowering infection rates or reducing maintenance needs. However, the impact varies depending on the hospital’s size, infection rates, and current cleaning protocols.
Do They Justify the Cost?
Antimicrobial paints can be considered cost-effective for hospitals, especially in areas prone to bacterial growth, such as patient rooms, ICUs, and operating theaters. While the paints alone won’t dramatically lower infection rates, they contribute to a safer environment when used as part of a broader infection control strategy. Hospitals that are already investing heavily in sanitation and infection control may see the additional cost as justified.
Sherwin Williams Technical Info:
ANTI-MICROBIAL COATINGS
For Waterborne, Solventborne and 100% UV technologies
Sherwin-Williams now gives you the possibility to include an Anti-Microbial additive (“AM Additive”) in your existing topcoats for Waterborne, Solvent borne and 100% UV technologies.
Our AM additives contain an antimicrobial agent intended to protect the surface coating against unsightly mold and mildew. Independent tests have shown that addition to different types of topcoats reduced bacteria on the surface coating by 99.99% according to norm JIS Z 2801:2010.
The benefits of the AM Additive continues provided that the topcoat is intact, since this additive is wash resistant and does not evaporate from the coating.
Your topcoat does not change aspect due to the incorporation of our AM Additive. It will retain its overall properties like clarity, hardness, scratch resistance and chemical resistance.
The AM additives can be used for all furniture where you want to protect your coating. Examples of areas of use:
PUBLIC PLACES like restaurants, schools, cafés, bars, fitness centers, waiting rooms in medical centers, restrooms and in areas of homes like kitchens and in topcoats for parquet floors.
OTHER ADVANTAGES OF THE AM ADDITIVES
| Additive code Average dose for 10 kg of undiluted topcoat Solvent borne additive XZ1000 125 g Waterborne additive YZ1000 50 g 100% UV additive UZ1000 125 g |
Don’t affect your application process. They are easy to use.
Not harmful for human beings.
Are compatible with a vast number of coatings systems. Keep the topcoats’ appearance unaltered.
Normal cleaning regimes are still recommended, even when using an AM additive.
Stir the AM additive down into your topcoat for 5-10 min.
- Microbes settle onto a surface protected with Sherwin-Williams AM agent.
- In contact with microbes, our silver agent transmits positive NATO-charges to the microbes.
The principle is comparable to the lightening during a thunderstorm when negative charges are transmitted.
The intensity of the Nano-discharges is extremely weak, and one cannot feel it. It has an effect only on microbes.
- The nano-discharges inhibit metabolic processes of the microbe’s cell.
- The microbes are inactivated and are no longer able to develop.
After having passed their lifecycle, they disappear.
- Broad activity spectrum against bacteria and fungi
- Inhibits bacterial development and supports optimum hygienePrevents microbial odor developmentProtects 24h: around the clockResistant to discoloration by mold and mildew
- Contains Silver: a naturally occurring element
