The EPA has deemed that Bac‐Shield’s key ingredient, Chitosan “poses negligible to non-existent ecological risk.” It is biocompatible, biodegradable, and virtually non‐toxic to humans and animals.
Bac‐Shield is a biostatic as it inhibits the growth of bacteria.
The Environmental Protection Agency deems acute dermal, acute oral, acute inhalation toxicity, and skin irritation as a Category IV, the lowest level of toxicity given by the EPA as the EPA does not certify antimicrobials as completely non‐toxic. Acute eye toxicity is accepted as level III as Bac‐Shield is a moderate eye irritant. Moreover, the EPA quotes, “Chitosan is so low in toxicity as to be considered virtually non‐toxic to humans and animals.”
Both ASTM (www.astm.org) and AATCC (www.aatcc.org) testing methods indicate that Bac‐Shield reduces bacteria and mold growth by greater than 99%.
Bac‐Shield inhibits both gram-positive bacteria such as penicillin-resistant pseudomonas and Staph, as well as gram-negative bacteria such as E.Coli and salmonella.
Generally, Bac‐Shield can be mixed with other liquid solutions that are cationic or nonionic but is incompatible with strong oxidants and strong bases. However, we do not recommend mixing any other chemicals or solutions with Bac‐Shield without first contacting us to discuss your options.
Bac‐Shield can be applied to most treated surfaces. The best rule with Bac‐Shield is to use simple observation. After applying Bac‐Shield to the treated surface, observe to see if Bac‐Shield sticks to the treated surface or beads and rolls off of it. As a rule of thumb, if a polymer such as paint will adhere to the treated surface, so will Bac‐Shield. Bac‐ Shield has a strong affinity when binding to acrylic surfaces, but may not adhere as strongly to silicone or fluoropolymer surfaces due to their hydrophobic qualities.
Apply Bac‐Shield after properly cleaning the designated surface. Bac‐Shield is most effective when applied prior to a finishing coat or paint, and again on top of finished surfaces.
Most notably, Bac‐Shield’s key ingredient, chitosan, is natural and created from recycled crab shells unlike the key ingredients in other antimicrobials on the market. Unlike Bac‐Shield, the key ingredients in other antimicrobials can lead to asthma, promote cancer, cause severe to caustic burns, leach into our water system causing harm to sea life downstream, as well as mutate bacteria causing super microbes. Notwithstanding the foregoing environmental concerns, Bac‐Shield is also a more economical treatment than other antimicrobials on the market.
To name a few: The workplace, exercise and wrestling mats, apartments and homes, synthetic turf, schools, locker rooms, protective headgear, transportation terminals, trailers, recreational vehicles, shoes, cars, trucks and busses, indoor and outdoor furniture, airplanes, carpets, boats (interiors and covers), upholstery, wallboards, mattresses, vinyl siding and fencing, awnings, curtains and drapes, bedding products, athletic, military and law enforcement uniforms. Bac‐Shield can protect any number of areas and materials.
Yes. Apply to the surface and wipe down with a clean cloth.
When applied, the durability of Bac‐Shield can be determined by a combination of the following factors: use, activity, location, weather, etc. Specifically, surfaces treated with Bac‐Shield that are susceptible to high foot traffic, humidity, wear and tear, and extreme UV rays will require additional applications of Bac‐Shield as opposed to the framing of a building or a treated ceiling which will require fewer applications of Bac‐Shield to maintain its antimicrobial shield. As such, each situation is different depending on the surface being treated.
Bac‐Shield can be applied to porous and non‐porous surfaces including, but not limited to: wood (unpainted and painted), plastic, vinyl, carpet, metal, fiberglass, masonry, particleboard, laminated surfaces, upholstery, sealed and/or painted surfaces, textiles, and other indoor and outdoor surfaces.
Bac‐Shield can be applied in numerous ways including (a) spray (both “backpack” sprayer and commercial sprayer for large areas), (b)cold fogger to treat entire rooms, (c) in the finishing process of textiles, and (d) as an additive in the laundering process.
Bac‐Shield is a registered product with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, which registration process requires the product to pass arduous testing protocols. Bac‐Shield has shown conclusive evidence to reduce mold and bacteria growth by 99% using ASTM and AATCC testing methods including AATCC‐100, 147, and 174 and ASTM 2149.
