New germ-killing paint helps stop infection in dental practices, hospitals

Despite best infection control practices, surfaces in medical facilities such as dental practices and hospitals are inevitable breeding grounds for bacteria. Now, Sherwin-Williams has introduced a new paint that can kill infectious pathogens on painted surfaces.

The paint, which Sherwin-Williams officially debuted at the Cleveland Clinic’s 2015 Medical Innovation Summit in Cleveland, Ohio. kills bacteria that can cause infection, a claim that was verified by the Environmental Protection Agency. Dubbed Paint Shield™, the paint contains a compound called Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride, a key ingredient that kills 99.9 percent of MRSA, Staph, E. coli, VRE and enterobacter aerogenes after two hours of exposure on painted surfaces.

Related reading: Dental care linked to respiratory infections in ICU patients

“Paint Shield doesn’t just inhibit the growth of common microbes, it actually has the power to kill infectious bacteria, thereby giving healthcare systems and other facilities an important new tool to help prevent the spread of some of the most common bacteria that trigger infections,” read a recent Sherwin-Williams press release.

The first EPA-registered paint that kills bacteria, Paint Shield can last up to four years with proper maintenance. It can be used on interior non-porous surfaces such as walls, doors and ceilings.

 “The exclusive patented technology in Paint Shield represents the culmination of extensive research and collaboration between Sherwin-Williams coatings scientists and expert microbiologists,” states the Sherwin-Williams website.

Related reading: 3 main steps for a proper infection control process

The paint will be come in 590 colors in eg-shel finish. It will be available in early 2016, and will be sold at all Sherwin-Williams paint stores in the United States.

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

For more information on the new paint, visit SWPaintShield.com or check out the video below.

About Sherwin-Williams

For nearly 150 years, Sherwin-Williams has been an industry leader in the development of technologically advanced paint and coatings. As the nation’s largest specialty retailer of paint and painting supplies, SherwinWilliams is dedicated to supporting both do-it-yourselfers and painting professionals with exceptional and exclusive products, resources to make confident color selections and expert, personalized service at its more than 4,000 neighborhood stores across North America. Sherwin-Williams has been ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Paint Retailers, Three Years in a Row" in the J.D. Power 2015 Paint Satisfaction Study^SM. For more information, visit sherwin-williams.com. Join Sherwin-Williams on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and Tumblr