The Bacterial Problem

Bacteria need water to smwive and will therefore only do so in very damp environments - in fact, they simply cannot grow on dry plastic surfaces. Most are easily killed by even diffuse UV light, although the spores of bacteria such as Bacillus and Clostridium sp. are resistant. It should be remembered that the surface of a plastic article is rarely nutritious, so bacteria need extraneous nutrients - splashed food in processing factories, body fluids in hospitals and institutions, mud on flooring and so on. 

Schematic of surface soiling and potential for bacterial growth 

Schematic showing effect of antibacterial agent on a bacterium 

Antibacterial and hygienic surfaces are possible but there are many theoretical and not fully substantiated claims, e.g., 

More common is the use of antibacterial ehemical additives, e.g., Triclosan, silver compounds and complexes, and zinc pyrithione 

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