Coatings Inhibit Mold and Mildew Growth on the Paint Film

In addition to reducing VOCs in the air, these new and advanced coatings inhibit the growth of mold and mildew on the paint film.

The presence of mold and mildew severely compromises the quality of the indoor environment. In fact, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes exposure to mildew to be a serious health threat. Exposure can trigger asthma or allergies, even in seemingly healthy people. For people with compromised immune systems or chronic lung problems, inhaling or ingesting mildew can be very dangerous, increasing the likelihood of developing fever, infections, and pneumonia-like symptoms.

Now healthcare facilities can do more than clean mold and mildew when detected, they can prevent the growth of mold and mildew on the paint film with paint that contains an anti-microbial. Photo courtesy of The Sherwin-Williams Company

Because exposure to mold, mildew, and their spores can cause serious health complications in both the healthy and the sick, the presence of these fungi represents a potential threat to not only patients, but visitors and staff as well. This threat is compounded by the versatility of the fungi. Mildew and mold grow on surfaces that can be readily touched, and the mold spores can travel through the air to be inhaled or ingested by unsuspecting masses. The pool of potential victims and the dual nature of this organism can make it difficult to protect against once it takes root in a room.

The control and prevention of mold and mildew is of paramount importance in healthcare facilities. As previously mentioned, hospitals are stepping up cleaning efforts in an attempt to ward off HAIs and there is no doubt that the harsher disinfectants and more rigorous scrubbing will help to reduce the presence of these fungi in the healthcare environment. For example, on a hard surface, like a wall, mildew can be eliminated by spraying a mildew remover solution onto it or washing the mold and mildew in a bleach solution.

However, mildew is not always visible to the naked eye and it is difficult to scrub away what cannot yet be seen. These fungi can exist in a space for a while, before they are large enough or developed enough to be detected. These fungi are also proficient at growing in dark, damp areas or in areas like cracks that may be obscured or not be readily visible.

Now there is a new solution to bring to the battle against mold and mildew. It is an advanced wall paint that contains an EPA-registered anti-microbial agent that inhibits the growth of mold and mildew on the paint film. Coatings with anti-microbial agents can be specified in patient rooms, recovery rooms, exam and procedure rooms, wash rooms, food service areas, restrooms, and other common areas.