CHG Announces its Saniguard Antimicrobial Coating Proves Effective Against Norovirus

LAKEWOOD, N.J. -- Component Hardware Group (CHG), a leading manufacturer and distributor of plumbing and specialty hardware components to healthcare, food-service, institutional and commercial markets, has successfully tested the protective coating, SANIGUARD, against feline calicivirus, a virus related to the human norovirus, at the University of Arizona's Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 23 million cases of gastroenteritis are due to norovirus infection every year. The SANIGUARD line utilizes a patented, proven silver ion technology, combined with a proprietary powder coating, to inhibit the growth of microorganisms and prevent their survival on the surfaces of various products including faucets, door handles and other exposed areas. With the development of specialized inorganic materials suitable for the high heat of kitchens as well as the repeated use associated with bathrooms and wash rooms, SANIGUARD antimicrobial treated materials have leaped to the forefront in the fight against bacteria, mold, fungus, particularly in high-risk outbreak areas including cruise ships, healthcare facilities and restaurants.

SANIGUARD is designed to prevent bacteria and viruses from growing for the life of the treated product and can be applied to CHGs plumbing and hardware at time of order. Many of these products are of the type currently specified for use in food-service kitchens by FCSI and quality assurance managers. In healthcare facilities, infection control managers typically influence the buying decisions of antimicrobial products like SANIGUARD.

Norovirus is very contagious and until now, common sanitary surfaces had no ability to inactivate viruses, said Thomas Carr, CHGs president and CEO. CHGs SANIGUARD is a cost-effective means of helping an establishment increase surface sanitation and reduce the costly repercussions associated with Norovirus.

SANIGUARD-coated plumbing and hardware has been proved effective against such common bacteria as E-coli, Listeria, Legionella and Salmonella, in addition to Norovirus. Faucets, handles, door knobs, stainless steel handwashing sinks, pre-rinses and push plates are but a few examples of CHGs products that can be supplied with SANIGUARD.

Source: Component Hardware Group (CHG)