Microbicidal Paint Kills Infection-Causing Bacteria

Innovative latex paint available in 590 colors has the power to kill bacteria continuously just two hours after contact.

Paint Shield is a new interior paint that can be applied to any hard, non-porous surface, including ceilings, walls, doors, and trim. The active component is a quaternary ammonium (quat) compound called alkyldimethy-lbenzylammonium chloride (ADBAC), which is suspended in the paint without compromising its integrity thanks to a patented formulation that ensures its stability in the coating. Paint Shield glides on like regular paint and is applied just like any other paint using rollers, a brush, or by spraying.


In clinical tests, Paint Shield was shown to kill 99.9% of Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), E. coli, Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE), and Enterobacter aerogenes bacteria two hours after exposure. Once applied, it keeps killing germs for up to four years. Paint Shield is a product of Sherwin-Williams (Cleveland, OH, USA), and is intended for a variety of settings such as healthcare facilities, athletic facilities, schools, day care centers, senior care communities, residential housing, hospitality settings, and cruise ships.

“Paint Shield is one of the most significant technological breakthroughs in our nearly 150-year history of innovation,” said Chris Connor, chairman and CEO of Sherwin-Williams. “By killing infectious pathogens on painted surfaces, Paint Shield is a game-changing advancement in coatings technology.”

“Other manufacturers put additives into paints to prevent bacteria from spreading and call it antimicrobial paint,” said Steve Revnew, senior vice president of product innovation at Sherwin-Williams. “Sherwin-Williams' product is differentiated, kills bacteria on the surface after two hours, instead of simply preventing the organisms from corroding the paint as antimicrobial products do. As you can well imagine, there’s quite a bit of need in this market.”

ADBAC is an organic salt that has three main categories of use: as a biocide, a cationic surfactant, and phase transfer agent. It’s antimicrobial activity has led to it being used as an active ingredient in many consumer products, including eye, ear, and nasal drops; in hand sanitizers, wet wipes, shampoos, deodorants, and cosmetics; as a skin antiseptic; and for commercial uses such as spray disinfectants for hard surface sanitization (Lysol) and for clearing of algae, moss, and lichens from paths, roof tiles, swimming pools, masonry, etc.

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