An innovative antimicrobial agent has succeeded in wiping out almost all bacteria that are usually present in classrooms, according to the results of a recent trial. The agent, incorporated into a coating developed by BioCote® Partners, managed to eliminate almost 96% of the bacteria normally found in a classroom, compared to an untreated control classroom that was also set up for the purpose of the trial study.

Contour, a leading manufacturer of LST radiators and radiator guards, and a long standing BioCote partner, was a lead participant in the study. The study was carried out in late 2014 at a UK primary school with one classroom completely refurbished with furniture, fixings and fittings all pre-treated with the antibacterial technology. Swab samples from both classrooms were then regularly collected over a three-week period and taken to a laboratory for analysis.

As well as showing that the treated classroom had almost no bacteria on its many surface areas, the study specifically revealed that Contour’s radiator guards carried 90.54% fewer microbes compared to radiator guards in the untreated classroom. All Contour LST radiator guards - a product of choice for many education sector specifiers - incorporate the BioCote coating in their ‘final finish’ as standard. This coating remains effective for the lifetime of the guards.

There is a strong social and economic case for investing in products that contribute to cleaner classrooms. A lower incidence of microbes in classrooms exposes children to fewer avoidable illnesses, thereby helping to reduce school absenteeism. This not only aids childrens’ immediate education but helps reduce the time-off so often required by parents to nurse sick children.

Leigh Simpson, Contour Managing Director, commented, “antimicrobial technology should not be viewed as a replacement to a thorough, systematic cleaning regime. However the observation of fewer bacteria present on antimicrobial-treated products presents a compelling case for the specification and installation of products such as Contour’s LST radiator guards, in environments where hygiene and general wellbeing are of critical importance."