Kaiser Permanente rejects use of antimicrobials for infection control

Published: 14-Dec-2015

With no proof that antimicrobial-treated furniture and fabrics improve infection prevention, organisation bans 15 chemicals from use in interior products


Concerned about mounting exposure to toxic chemicals in everyday life and the threat of drug-resistant bacteria, Kaiser Permanente has banned paint and other interior building products treated with antimicrobial agents for use in its hospitals and other buildings.

The US-based integrated managed care consortium says manufacturers routinely add antimicrobial chemicals to products for added infection control, although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found no evidence to suggest the products offer any enhanced protection from the spread of bacteria and germs, and that proper cleaning and hand washing are the best ways to prevent infection.

The Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities, published in 2003 by the CDC and its Healthcare Infection Control Practice Advisory Committee, say no evidence is available to suggest that use of products treated with antimicrobial chemicals will make patients healthier or prevent disease.

The antimicrobial ban is effective immediately and applies only to new construction projects and renovations not yet in the purchasing phase

Kaiser Permanente has been steering builders and architects with whom it works away from these antimicrobial products since 2006. The organisation recently formalised its opposition to finishes and fabrics containing antimicrobial chemicals and identified 15 specific antimicrobial chemicals to ban from its hospitals and other buildings because they can be toxic to both people and the environment.

'Health care interiors can be beautiful spaces designed to inspire health and healing,' said John Kouletsis, Vice President of Facilities Planning and Design. 'But lurking beneath the surface can be a surprising number of pollutants that are anything but benevolent.'

Kouletsis added: 'Our thought is that if there's a non-chemical way to solve a problem or there are greener products available that offer the same performance, we should pursue those as safer alternatives.'

The antimicrobial ban is effective immediately and applies only to new construction projects and renovations not yet in the purchasing phase.

Kaiser Permanente has 38 hospitals and more than 600 medical offices in the US.

The organisation prohibited the use of furniture treated with toxic flame retardant chemicals in 2014, and four additional hospital systems quickly followed suit.

Antimicrobials are now routinely added to paint and grout, ceramic tile, fabrics, glass, and even refrigerators and toilet seats.

'Several years ago we stopped purchasing hand soaps that contain the antibacterial triclosan because it was found to be no more effective than washing with plain soap and water, and may cause hormone-related health problems,' said Kathy Gerwig, Vice President of Employee Safety, Health, and Wellness, and Kaiser Permanente's Environmental Stewardship Officer.

'Removing antimicrobials from interior products is an extension of our longstanding efforts to create healthier environments for everyone.'

The chemicals banned by Kaiser Permanente are:

  • Benzisothiazolin 3-one (BIT)
  • 4,4-dimethyloxazolidine
  • Diiodomethyl p-tolyl sulfone
  • Kathon 886 (CIT/MIT mixture)
  • Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CIT, CMIT)
  • Methylisothiazolinone (MIT)
  • N-octadecyldimethyl (3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl) ammonium chloride
  • Quaternary ammonium compounds, benzyl-C8-16-alkyldimethyl,chlorides
  • Silver sodium hydrogen zirconium phosphate
  • Triclosan
  • Zinc pyrithione
  • Silver (nano)
  • Silver zinc zeolites
  • Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC)
  • Hexamethylenetetramine

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