If you have been following the news as it relates to the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, it should come as no surprise that the virus has impacted the lives of many people across the globe. According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the COVID-19 death toll reached an astonishing 500,000 globally as of June 2020. In the United States, there are over 5 million confirmed cases of COVID-19. And an estimated 170 thousand people have, so far, lost their lives to the respiratory disease.

Can a Fresh Coat of Paint Help Protect Against COVID-19?

Although there is evidence that shows wearing a face mask can reduce the spread of COVID-19 by as much as 85 percent, they don’t offer as much protection against the virus when it is no longer airborne. According to a study published by ResearchGate, the virus linked to COVID-19 stays in the air for 3 hours following aerosolization before coming in contact with different surfaces. Many businesses are aware of these scientific findings and have stepped up their efforts to protect consumers by frequently sanitizing touchable surfaces. Some have taken things even further in the name of public health. For example, some businesses in Ramsey MN are applying antimicrobial coatings to doors, walls, and many other surfaces that customers are likely to touch. These applications primarily involve the use of antimicrobial paint, which is a specialty paint that contains additives that make the surfaces painted with it more resistant to pathogens.

Why Antimicrobial Coatings for Businesses Is Surging in Minnesota

For those who are unfamiliar with pathogens, they are tiny organisms that can invade and ultimately live inside of the human body. And they can be especially dangerous for seniors and young children who often have a weak immune system. Fortunately, antimicrobial coatings can rid surfaces of many of the contaminants that would otherwise make individuals sick. Some of the pathogenic organisms that antimicrobial coatings are capable of destroying include Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, E. Coli, Vancomycin-resistant enterococci, and Klebsiella aerogenes. There is also credible evidence suggesting that these same coatings are effective in destroying the virus linked to COVID-19.

It is worth noting that the risk of these pathogenic organisms invading and ultimately living in the body increases when individuals touch surfaces that contain them and then mistakenly touch their mouth, nose, or eyes. Since most businesses in Minnesota are aware that painting touchable surfaces with antimicrobial paint can help reduce these risks, the demand for these unique paints has skyrocketed within the last few months. Further, this new demand shows no signs of abating as businesses and consumers are becoming increasingly health-conscious. To that point, a study published by GlobeNewswire noted that the antimicrobial coatings market, which includes both primers and paints, is projected to reach a $7.36 billion valuation by the year 2025.

How Effective Are Antimicrobial Coatings When It Comes to Protecting Against Pathogens?

When it comes to antimicrobial coatings, these unique paints and primers have been tested and have been shown to protect against numerous pathogens, including the virus that causes COVID-19. To put this into perspective, Paint Shield by Sherwin-Williams, the first EPA-registered antimicrobial paint, has been shown to kill 99.9 percent of pathogens within 2 hours after they came in contact with a painted surface. Those pathogens reportedly included those previously mentioned in this article. For this reason, the use of antimicrobial coatings, namely paints and primers, to prevent pathogens from remaining on touchable surfaces has increased across a variety of industries, according to many commercial painters in Minnesota. Some of these industries include the following:

• Healthcare

• Education

• Food industry

• Construction

Now that we have identified the industries responsible for the high demand for antimicrobial coatings in Minnesota, let’s take a moment to look at how they can benefit the different businesses that operate in their respective sectors:

Healthcare – In nursing homes and other facilities tasked with caring for seniors, commercial painting services will often recommend applying an antimicrobial coating to walls, doors, and counters used to prepare medications. Many of these companies will also advise the same for walk-in clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, and labs.

Education – Whether used in a teacher’s lounge, cafeteria, or classroom, antimicrobial coatings that are expertly applied by a licensed and trained contractor can help keep schools free of harmful pathogens that can make teachers, students, and even parents sick. And this is especially noteworthy given that many schools in Minnesota are making plans to reopen after having spent several months closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Food – Any business that prepares food should go above and beyond when it comes to protecting the health of workers and customers. Professional contractors will often recommend that restaurants using antimicrobial coatings on counters and in dining areas to limit the spread of harmful pathogens.

Construction – Whether we are discussing a new build or renovating an existing property, antimicrobial coatings help keep the surfaces in these structures pathogen-free before the current new tenant moves in.

Why Should Businesses Hire Commercial Painters?

Although most Fortune 500 companies will hire commercial painters for their painting needs, smaller businesses often prefer to make painting a do-it-yourself affair. If you’re a small business owner who shares in this mindset, you should know that many benefits come with hiring a commercial painting service. Along with being licensed, bonded, and insured, these companies also provide the following:

• Can quickly spot structural problems, such as decay and rot

• Expert surface preparation

• Safety and Cleanliness

• On-time completion of work

In summary, along with wearing a mask and practicing social distancing, antimicrobial coatings can go a long way toward reducing the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses. The same is true for bacteria, fungi, and other harmful contaminants. That being said, if you live in Ramsey or any of the surrounding areas and would like to learn more about antimicrobial coatings, consider scheduling a consultation with Chrave Davis Painting today.