Research and testing conducted to obtain EPA registration supports evidence based design principles. Proper design of healthcare facilities can clearly impact the safety of patients and staff. Scientific tests have shown that clean MicroGuard surfaces kill greater than 99.9% of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria* within two hours of exposure. Improved patient outcomes may be possible by incorporating MicroGuard antimicrobial touch surfaces into an overall infection prevention strategy.

EPA registration established the fact that MicroGuard materials will not cause any adverse health or environmental effects. Safe to use, MicroGuard is the first solid touch surface material to be registered with a public health claim.. Based on EPA good laboratory practice protocols, six specific bacteria* were tested in 30 independent studies using 3000 test coupons to determine the viability of these disease-causing bacteria* after repeated recontamination of the copper touch surfaces. Testing demonstrated effective antibacterial* activity against the following organisms:

• Staphylococcus aureus
• Enterobacter aerogenes
• Escherichia coli O157:H7
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
• Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE)

When cleaned regularly, MicroGuard touch surfaces continuously reduce bacterial* contamination, remaining effective in killing 99.9% of bacteria* within two hours even after repeated recontamination. MicroGuard materials were also tested and compared to other materials commonly used in hospitals. MicroGuard surfaces killed 99.9% of bacteria* within two hours of exposure, while infectious bacteria were still alive on stainless steel surfaces for almost a month.

Just think of the many touch surfaces you encounter everyday in healthcare facilities, shopping malls, schools, hotels, airports, and other public buildings that would benefit from being made of MicroGuard antimicrobial copper materials. In addition, MicroGuard copper alloys are produced in a sustainable manner and are completely recyclable.

*Testing demonstrates effective antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli O157:H7, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE).