Within the medical sectors, antibacterial coatings are fast gaining acceptance as a legitimate tool in the fight against hospital-acquired infection, and independent laboratory tests have consistently demonstrated that SteriTouch® antibacterial powder coatings will significantly reduce the population of bacteria such as MRSA and E-coli. SteriTouch® also has excellent anti-mould properties.

SteriTouch® Director, Huw Durban, commented, "The SteriTouch coatings are sufficiently robust for even the most demanding applications and provide an excellent means of reducing the bacterial population on exposed surfaces between cleaning cycles. Radiators may not appear to be an obvious application, but their surface, particularly on LST models, is often an ideal 'incubation' temperature for bacteria. Additionally, the convection currents they create will almost inevitably result in bacteria becoming airborne and being carried around a ward."

"Compared with the price of a radiator, an antibacterial coating is a very small additional cost. In fact, Autron are using the SteriTouch® coating as standard on all their radiators. Even if it only prevents a single infection during the entire time the radiator is in service, what reason could there be for not specifying it?"

"The main concern regarding antibacterial coatings has understandably been the development of resistance. Indeed, the resistance of some bacteria to organic biocides, which typically have a single mode of action, is well documented. However, inorganic biocides, particularly silver [which is the active component in SteriTouch® products], have several modes of action and it is recognised that the potential for resistance is very low indeed."

Tony Constable, Autron's Sales & Marketing Manager, added, "There are a number of companies offering antibacterial products, but they mostly specialise in a single area, such as masterbatches, powder coats or fabric treatments. As far as we're aware, SteriTouch® is the only company able to provide all these products and offer a genuinely complete package without demanding a licensing fee. They also provide us with free antimicrobial testing through an independent laboratory".