Microban International, a specialist in antimicrobial, odor control and residual sanitization and disinfection solutions, has introduced a new range of antiviral technologies that the company said are proven to reduce viral loading on products and surfaces.
Microban technology can be incorporated into various materials during manufacturing, becoming part of the product’s structure to provide inherent and enduring protection from microbes. Recent data demonstrates that new antiviral technologies from Microban conform to ISO 18184, which assesses the antiviral performance of treated textile products, such as woven and knitted fabrics, fibers, yarns and braids, and ISO 21702, which measures activity in treated plastics and other non-porous surfaces.
Thorough testing was performed to evaluate the efficacy of each product type against many viruses, including bacteriophage Phi6, an important surrogate virus for SARS-CoV-2, Microban said, with the results showing articles treated with these technologies can now benefit from reduced viral loading by up to 99 percent.
Antiviral technologies from Microban inhibit the viruses’ ability to remain viable on surfaces. However, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has said “the principal mode by which people are infected with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes Covid-19) is through exposure to respiratory droplets carrying infectious virus.” The CDC said “it is possible for people to be infected through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects (fomites), but the risk is generally considered to be low.”
“Assessing antiviral efficacy in treated products to a standard that meets the complex regulatory landscape is an arduous process, but we have been confident throughout that our innovative solutions conformed to the rigorous ISO standards,” Michael Ruby, president of Microban International, said. “Our world-class research team and global in-house regulatory department worked diligently to ensure that the technology is recognized as effective and compliant across various markets, to support partners with their claims, and give customers even greater confidence in products protected with Microban antiviral technology.”