How does Microban Work?
Get to know the innovative technology behind antimicrobial switches, dimmers and wall plates.
May 2023
Isn’t it always a wonderful feeling when the house is fresh and clean? You sit down, look around and sigh happily, satisfied that there’s not a mess in sight.
Except… what about the messes that are still there, you just can’t see them?
No, not the “my kids (or spouse) might have just shoved their stuff under the bed or in a closet” kind of out-of-sight mess. The microscopic kind. The kind that’s so easy to overlook (because, again, microscopic), but can still be readily found throughout your home -- on drawer pulls and doorknobs, bannisters and handles, the TV remote, your light switches.
That’s right. The dreaded “B” word: bacteria.
While there are also “good” bacteria and microorganisms in the world (like probiotics for gut and skin health), we’re talking about the bacteria that can cause stains, odors, even deterioration, and is often lurking on many of the surfaces you and your family touch most. So even as some items might look good and clean after a simple dust off or wipe down, looks can be deceiving.
That’s why Legrand has partnered with Microban® -- the global leader in built-in antimicrobial technologies – to provide protected products (including designer switches, dimmers and wall plates) that are 99.9% cleaner and more durable.
Read on for details on what this antimicrobial protection* is, how it works and more…
1. What does “antimicrobial” even mean?!
To start, “antimicrobial” product protection refers to Microban’s built-in technologies that can be integrated into solid products, coatings and fibers – from the time of manufacturing – to work, actively and consistently, to inhibit the growth and reproduction of microorganisms like bacteria.
As the world’s leader in this category, Microban currently has a portfolio of more than 25 approved antimicrobial technologies that enable the selection and optimization of the right technology to fit a truly wide range of products. Through partnerships with many brands and manufacturers, Microban antimicrobial protection is featured on items like phone cases and appliances, textiles and healthcare products – and now also on select designer switches, dimmers and wall plates form Legrand’s adorne® Collection.
2. So… how does Microban product protection work?
Since we are talking about taking on teeny tiny microbes and bacteria, it makes sense that Microban® antimicrobial technologies work at the cellular level to continually disrupt the growth and reproduction of microorganisms. The technologies use a multi-pronged attack, working to damage the protein, cell membrane, DNA and internal systems of a microbe. Once infused into the material of the product, the ever-vigilant antimicrobial technology starts working as soon as a microorganism comes into contact with the protected surface. Through this, Microban antimicrobial protection inhibits the growth of most common bacteria, yeasts, molds and fungi, and has even been proven effective against a broad spectrum of gram-negative and grampositive bacteria.
3. What’s in it?
While Microban’s technologies portfolio features a variety of additives which allow for customization and optimization to best fit a given application, the predominant ingredients in the additives are based on silver and zinc active ingredients.
Microban antimicrobial additives have undergone extensive independent laboratory testing and have a long history of safe use, across a wide range of product types. The biocidal active components of Microban antimicrobial additives are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency as treated articles and are proven safe and effective for their specific end use applications. And it’s important to note that neither triclosan nor triclocarbon, in any concentrations, are present within the Microban product protection being incorporated by Legrand.
4. How long does the product protection last?
Unlike disinfectants that must be reapplied to a product’s surface repeatedly to keep things clean, Microban antimicrobial additives are included during the manufacturing process so that the antimicrobial protection is truly PART of the product. Microban-treated products work continuously to inhibit the growth of the microbes and bacteria, for the entire expected lifetime of the product – not washing off, leaching out or wearing away. This means that after you wipe off the dust or a smudgy fingerprint, you know that – though invisible to the eye – the Microban product protection is working at a microscopic level to finish the job and keep the surface of a product 99.9% cleaner.
*No antimicrobial efficacy claims are being made or are valid with respect to products sold in Canada.
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