Merits of Such Biocides

These biocides are usually provided to offer a value added component to existing applications. An example would be an anti-bacterial chopping board promoted as a safer alternative to a board that does not claim to have any anti-bacterial additive. However, there are no internationally recognised test methods available to prove the performance of such systems and so most applications are based either on certain laboratory test protocols, anecdotal evidence of performance or by marketing claims alone. 

Of comse, bacteria can be isolated from interior and exterior surfaces and the organisms recovered will frequently reflect the activity taking place elose by. In food proeessing faetories these can be organisms associated with foodstuffs, in hospitals it is no doubt possible to find bacteria associated with hmnan illness. 

Number of death certificates mentioning Staphylococcus aureus by methycillin resistance, England Wales 

Indeed, it can be assumed that use of biocides in this application field would only be of benefit but this may not be the case in some instances. 

It is a commonly held view that all bacteria are harmful but it is just not the case. Of course, pathogenic organisms such as methycillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), E. coli 0157 and many others are harmful to humans but the vast majority, e g., intestinal tract and waste breakdown organisms, animal rumen bacteria, are essential to us. Additionally, there is strong evidence that children acquire resistance to disease and illnesses such as asthma by exposure to microorganisms when they are very young. We would not survive in a sterile environment. 

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