Common Questions:
- What is Fosshield?
A: Fosshield is the premier fiber technology that safely, naturally, and continuously inhibits the growth of destructive and odor-causing bacteria, mold, mildew, fungi and viruses. Protected by Agion, Fosshield's patented technology can be used for all of your fabric needs, including carpets, linens, apparel, and car interiors to increase product life and reduce microbial growth.
A: Agion's silver technology is incorporated into Fosshield's fiber. Agion is the leader in providing customized, naturally safe, silver-based antimicrobial solutions that continuously inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew and fungi. Agion's antimicrobial technology is used in a vast array of products in the consumer, industrial, and healthcare industries.
Q: How does Fosshield antimicrobial technology work?
A: The key to the effectiveness of Fosshield's antimicrobial agent is the unique and balanced combination of silver and copper ions, embedded into the fiber. Moisture in the environment, the same moisture required for microbes to grow, initiates the release of silver and copper ions from the fibers. These ions disable the microbe's metabolism, inactivating them. The minimum release rate ensures continuous antimicrobial protection for the life of the product.
A: A microbe is an organism that is too small to be seen by the human eye. Microbes can be bacteria, mold or fungi. A virus is not technically a microbe because it is not alive, however Agion's antimicrobial technology is proven effective against some viruses.
Q: What is the difference between Antimicrobial vs. Antibacterial?
A: Antimicrobial inhibits the growth of all microbes (bacteria, mold and fungi) on surfaces, while antibacterial is only effective against bacteria.
Q: What makes antimicrobial protection important?
A: People everywhere are more concerned than ever before about the spread of bacteria, mold, mildew, and viruses. Consumers are demanding products that contribute to a cleaner, safer environment. Fosshield's antimicrobial performance has been proven effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria, mold, mildew, fungi, and viruses - including MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), Streptococcus pyogenes (strep), Legionella pneumonphila (Legionnaries' disease), Haemophilus influenza (flu), and tuberculosis (TB).
Q: Is Fosshield antimicrobial technology safe?
A: Fosshield provides chemical-free antimicrobial action, utilizing silver and copper- two of nature's own antimicrobial elements. It is also EPA-approved. It is inorganic, non-toxic, safe for prolonged contact with human cells, non-leaching, and environmentally friendly.
Q: What is the difference between Fosshield and other antimicrobial materials?
A: Fosshield is a non-topical, patented technology that is built into the fiber. This means that unlike many other antimicrobial products, Fosshield's antimicrobial agent never wears away or washes off. It is also non-leaching, which makes Fosshield safe for the environment and more effective against bacteria.
Q: How do you know Fosshield® Antimicrobial Technology has been proven to work?
A: Results from independent laboratory studies conducted at the University of Arizona under the guidance of well known microbiology, virology and epidemiology expert Charles P. Gerba, Ph.D., (Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science), have shown that the Fosshield patented technology is 99.99% effective in killing MRSA as well as a broad spectrum of bacteria capable of airborne transmission to levels below detection within one hour, and in some instances less than 10 minutes. Fosshield® also exhibits anti-viral activity.
History of Silver
Silver is a well-known antimicrobial with a long history of preventing illness. In the fourteenth century, silver spoons were placed in the mouths of wealthy children to protect them from bacteria. During the 1800s, silver was also placed in the eyes of newborns - a practice that continues today. More recently, the medical community has incorporated silver into treatments for burn patients as well as instruments such as stents and catheters.
Q: Isn't silver a "heavy-metal"?
A: The term "heavy metal" is often misused. Silver is most commonly referred to as a "soft" metal with low toxicity. It is important to note that the active agent in Fosshield, contains ionic silver, not metallic silver, that is safely encapsulated in non-toxic zeolite crystals which are "built in" to the fiber and do not leach out into the environment. Actually, the silver used in Fosshield is less toxic than table salt!
A: Silver and Copper work together to inhibit the growth of microbes. When you combine multiple elements, such as silver and copper, microbial resistance is much harder. This combination makes it even harder for microbes to mutate– which is a problem with other antimicrobials. Copper also has the added benefit of eliminating the odor caused by bacteria. Fosshield was the first fiber successfully embedded with a natural balance of silver and copper.
Q: How can Fosshield meet your unique needs?
A: Foss Manufacturing Company, LLC has been a global leader in the design and manufacture of non-wovens and specialty synthetic fiber technology for more than 50 years. Fosshield can be used in a variety of markets. It is remarkably versatile and functional:
- Fosshield can be blended into any fabric or textile
- Fosshield can be made with Ecospun (100% post consumer recycled PET bottles)
- Foss Manufacturing offers custom color matching for all of its fibers, including Fosshield
- Foss' facility is ISO 9001:2000 certified
Q: Where can Fosshield be used?
A: Because of its versatility, Fosshield is uniquely suited for a broad range of applications including, but not limited to:
- Carpeting
- Automotive interiors
- Medical facemasks
- Healthcare scrubs
- Filtration
- Linens
- Clothing
- Footwear
- Wall coverings
- Home furnishings
Q: How does the dyeing process affect Fosshield antimicrobial technology?
A: While the dyeing process should not affect Fosshield's efficacy there are a few do's and don'ts involved:
Don'ts:
- Avoid Sulfur based compounds. Sulfur bonds easily to ionic silver. That converts the silver to an insoluble form. If it is no longer soluble, it's no longer antibacterial.
- Reduce the amount of time the product is in the dye process. The longer the process time the higher the probability that a silver compromising reaction could occur.
- Keep the temperatures in the dye process to a minimum. High heats artificially accelerate the ion exchange process.
- High acid or high alkalinity in the dyeing process can impact antimicrobial performance and could damage the fibers. Keep PH as close to neutral (7) as possible.
- Minimize dye-fixing material. These fixing agents can create physical barrier on the fiber or fabric surface.
- Fabric processors occasionally use a stripping process to remove unwanted color. Using Sodium hydrosulphite or oxidizing agents like hydrogen Peroxide are not recommended on Agion treated material. It can impact antimicrobial performance.
Do's
- Simple washing with a detergent can reverse blocking on the fiber and improve efficacy.
- Mild bleaching can strip away organic layers that could be blocking silver release. Bleaching must be tuned in so that fiber damage does not occur. Bleaching solution strength must be mild.
- Scouring with hot water can help reverse some of the effects of dyeing.
Q: Can bleach be used on Fosshield fibers and fabrics?
A: Yes, it is safe to use mild bleaches on Fosshield fibers and fabrics. In fact mild bleaching can actually strip away organic layers that could be blocking silver release. Bleaching must be tuned in so that fiber damage does not occur.
Q: Is Fosshield effective against pet urine odor?
A: Fosshield's patented technology is formulated to work against pet urine odor in two ways. First, the Fosshield active ingredient is contained inside of zeolites. These zeolites are the same technology commonly used in cat litter boxes as well as the air filtration systems in pig farms to facilitate odor reduction caused by urine (ammonia). The zeolite absorbs the ammonia, and eliminates the odor. Secondly, the moisture associated with the urine will engage the ion exchange antimicrobial mechanism to cause the silver and copper ions to be released into the contaminated area inhibiting the potential growth of bacteria, fungi, and mold.
Q: Is Fosshield effective in allergy relief?
A: The Fosshield active ingredient has consistently demonstrated significant efficacy against fungi, mold and mildew, the primary cause of allergic reactions. Laboratory testing shows Fosshield fiber to inactivate the ability of the fungus, mold and mildew to proliferate.
Q: Does Fosshield's silver/copper agent leach?
A: No, Fosshield antimicrobial technology is non-leaching, making it safe for the environment. Moisture in the environment, the same moisture required for microbes to grow, initiates the release of silver and copper ions from the fibers. This means that the silver and copper ions are only used when needed, and not continually streaming or leaching into the environment. This is also part of the reason Fosshield antimicrobial fiber lasts the life of the product, by using only the amount of silver needed it lasts much longer. Other silver based antimicrobials constantly release their silver particles, even when they are not needed. This becomes a problem, as the silver residue will wash off potentially causing harmful effects on the environment. It is also important to note that the active agent in Fosshield, contains ionic silver, not metallic silver, that is safely encapsulated in non-toxic zeolite crystals which are "built in" to the fiber and do not leach out into the environment. Actually, Fosshield's antimicrobial agent is less toxic than table salt!
Q: How does Fosshield relate to the Zone of Inhibition Test?
A: A zone of inhibition test is designed to measure the ability of an antibiotic material to resist the growth of bacteria beyond the surface of a treated article. This is a valid test method for many antibiotics that diffuse or leach out of treated articles. However this test is not appropriate for testing Fosshield products, as Fossshield is a non-leaching technology. Because Fosshield is non-leaching it is safe for the environment.
Q: How can Fosshield® bridge the gap between antibiotic resistance and MRSA?
A: In the face of the growing MRSA crisis, Fosshield® may become an integral part of environmental counter-strategies in the fight against the spread of antibiotic resistant infection. MRSA is emerging and spreading worldwide, and the number of infections is increasing outside the hospital setting. Further, MRSA survives longer on fabric and fiber. Therefore, it is important to broaden our arsenal beyond therapeutic options to include built-in protective measures involving high-traffic areas and materials in our environment. Schools, offices, homes and communal environments are key places to start.