Antimicrobial paper claimed to keep bugs at bay
Scottish speciality papermaker Curtis Fine Papers has teamed up with Xerox to launch an antimicrobial document paper that kills off 99.9% of pathogens on its surface within six hours of contact.
The paper, which can be used to record cleanroom data and lab and patient notes, has been treated with a silver-based additive known for its bacteria fighting properties.
The paper is claimed to be effective against bacteria including MRSA, E.coli, Salmonella, Listeria, Pseudomonas and C.difficile, and can be used in hospitals, private healthcare organisations and GPs surgeries.
The paper can be printed without affecting its antibacterial capabilities and, due to the slow release of the silver, the antibacterial properties last for the lifetime of the finished product.
Xerox, the world’s leading document management technology and services enterprise, is developing a range of antimicrobial document papers with Curtis for use on its printing and associated equipment installed in healthcare operations throughout the UK.
Andrew Broad, custom solutions business manager for Xerox Office Supplies, said: “It is part of the Xerox philosophy to tailor our services to solve customer problems. If, by developing a range of antimicrobial papers, we can play a part in preventing the spread of hospital acquired infections such as MRSA, then we are achieving our objective in a critically important situation."’
Professor Curtis G Gemmell, Emeritus Professor of Bacterial Infection and Epidemiology, University of Glasgow, said: ‘As the continuing high incidence of hospital acquired infection has shown, the importance of strict infection controls in our healthcare facilities cannot be underestimated. The use of antimicrobial paper in as wide a range of applications as possible might be an important addition to the bundle of measures being taken to minimise the risk of infection spread through document handling between departments such as wards, labs, office, kitchens and mortuaries.”
The paper has been tested and independently verified according to the Japanese Standard Test (JISZ2801) procedure that allows us to categorically state the effectiveness of the treatment against bacteria growth.