Microban, the makers of the antibacterial ingredient added to Silestone worktops, refute suggestions that there is any danger from their material.
Cosentino add the antibacterial product containing triclosan to their Silestone quartz products, giving them a unique hygiene feature. But some of their competitors have pointed to claims in America that triclosan might result in harm to humans and lead to antibiotic-resistant germs. This was reported in the August issue of NSS along with Cosentino’s assertion that their worktops are safe.
Claire Armstrong, Marketing Manager for Microban Europe Ltd, has added her support to the Cosentino assertion.
In a statement to NSS she says: “First of all, Microban cannot cause cancer in people or lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria; it is a trademark and not a chemical. Microban International draws from a portfolio of antimicrobials, none of which are known to be carcinogenic or have led to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, to develop applications for its licensees and clients.
“The antimicrobial used in Cosentino’s products is approved by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Union for use in toothpaste, deodorants and hand soaps at levels nearly 20 times higher than in Cosentino’s products. And unlike toothpaste, deodorants and hand soaps, the antimicrobial used in Cosentino’s products is incorporated into the body of the product in an extremely stable manner as part of the binder matrix such to provide a cleaner surface while maintaining negligible exposure for either people or the environment.
“Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are a well-documented and recognized result of the medical use, overuse and misuse of antibiotics and have repeatedly been demonstrated to have nothing to do with the use of general purpose antimicrobials. The most thoroughly researched and tested antimicrobial in this regard is triclosan, a product developed and supplied by Ciba Specialties of Switzerland, and there are more than six field, clinical and laboratory studies, including one by the professor who started the controversy, showing that triclosan does not cause antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In addition there are over 30 years of use of triclosan without a single case of resistant bacterial strains developing. References can be provided to support this statement should there be interest in them.”
Cosentino add the antibacterial product containing triclosan to their Silestone quartz products, giving them a unique hygiene feature. But some of their competitors have pointed to claims in America that triclosan might result in harm to humans and lead to antibiotic-resistant germs. This was reported in the August issue of NSS along with Cosentino’s assertion that their worktops are safe.
Claire Armstrong, Marketing Manager for Microban Europe Ltd, has added her support to the Cosentino assertion.
In a statement to NSS she says: “First of all, Microban cannot cause cancer in people or lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria; it is a trademark and not a chemical. Microban International draws from a portfolio of antimicrobials, none of which are known to be carcinogenic or have led to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, to develop applications for its licensees and clients.
“The antimicrobial used in Cosentino’s products is approved by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Union for use in toothpaste, deodorants and hand soaps at levels nearly 20 times higher than in Cosentino’s products. And unlike toothpaste, deodorants and hand soaps, the antimicrobial used in Cosentino’s products is incorporated into the body of the product in an extremely stable manner as part of the binder matrix such to provide a cleaner surface while maintaining negligible exposure for either people or the environment.
“Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are a well-documented and recognized result of the medical use, overuse and misuse of antibiotics and have repeatedly been demonstrated to have nothing to do with the use of general purpose antimicrobials. The most thoroughly researched and tested antimicrobial in this regard is triclosan, a product developed and supplied by Ciba Specialties of Switzerland, and there are more than six field, clinical and laboratory studies, including one by the professor who started the controversy, showing that triclosan does not cause antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In addition there are over 30 years of use of triclosan without a single case of resistant bacterial strains developing. References can be provided to support this statement should there be interest in them.”