Avatech's Washable Antimicrobial Gowns: Protecting Humans and the Environment
The demand for protective clothing that offers both effective antimicrobial properties and environmental sustainability is paramount, especially for medical and healthcare sectors as well as elderly care industry. Avatech's washable antimicrobial protective gowns are engineered to meet this dual imperative, providing frontline workers and individuals with a garment that not only safeguards against pathogens but also champions ecological responsibility.
We conducted a field study in a local elderly home with a capacity of more than 200 residents. At the beginning of the field trial, the healthcare workers were provided with the cotton-based AvaTech antimicrobial gowns. After the field work, the gowns were washed and dried daily, and recycled for use in the next day. Gown samples were collected at the end of each month. Its bacterial count was investigated. In addition, the trends of antimicrobial efficacies on a gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus) and a gram-negative bacteria (K. pneumonia) were studied for 5 consecutive months to identify if the antimicrobial performance remains satisfactory.
The antimicrobial efficacy against S. aureus and K. pneumoniae on used AvaTech antimicrobial gowns were evaluated through AATCC TM 100. It was found that the antimicrobial efficacy did not show any deterioration for up to 120 laundry cycles (corresponds to 4-month usage with daily laundry), and remains >99.9% for over 150 laundry cycles (corresponding to 5-month usage with daily laundry). The result shows that AvaTech antimicrobial coating is durable upon normal wear and tear condition and laundry in the house of elderly. Meanwhile, no bacteria were detected on the used fabrics. The undetected bacterial counts on AvaTech gowns show that the fabric inactivates the microorganisms present on it. The application of durable AvaTech antimicrobial technology on the textile products for elderly home is promising to minimize cross-contamination of pathogenic microorganisms in the facilities.
Avatech’s high level of protection is maintained over multiple wash cycles, reducing the need for frequent replacement and thereby lessening the environmental impact. The durability of Avatech gowns ensures a longer lifecycle (at least 5 months) compared to traditional single-use PPE, significantly cutting down on waste. Moreover, Avatech is committed to reducing the environmental footprint of our protective apparel. The treatment process is designed to be low-impact, requiring less water and energy consumption than conventional antimicrobial applications.
A number of elderly care facilities and hospitals in Hong Kong chose Avatech's washable antimicrobial gowns to equip themselves with superior protection while contributing to a more sustainable future. By reducing the frequency of infections and the subsequent need for aggressive cleaning protocols, we can lessen the environmental load of chemicals and detergents. Avatech thus delivers a protective solution that respects both the sanctity of human health and the health of our planet, aligning with the global shift towards more conscientious consumption and waste reduction.
