In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, the limitations of antimicrobial products is discussed.
Q: I'm used to seeing building products promoting antimicrobial properties, but am suddenly reading more about bactericidal qualities. Which of these products will actually add an extra element of cleanliness to our facility?
A: According to Kon John of CuVerro Products, a supplier of copper-based products, the term bactericidal is focusing on a more specific range of capabilities than is often available from surfaces simply referred to as antimicrobial.
"There appears to be a perception that antimicrobial means bacteria-free, when in fact for some products it means only that the growth of bacteria is being inhibited, and bacteria likely exists on the product," John said.