May 24, 2002—AK Steel is donating steel coated with the AgION antimicrobial compound for City of Hope’s Helford Clinical Research Hospital currently under construction in Duarte, California. The hospital will house the nation’s largest bone marrow transplantation facility.
AK Steel’s antimicrobial-coated steels will be used in the facility’s air handling ductwork and may have other potential applications such as stainless steel door hardware, push plates and light switch plates.
This new facility will benefit from the added measure of cleanliness provided by AK Steel’s antimicrobial-coated steel. Of particular benefit in a health care environment is the ability to inhibit the growth of destructive microbes in air handling ductwork. According to the manufacturer, AgION antimicrobial compound is a long-lasting, inorganic material that contains silver ions-a safe and natural antimicrobial agent. The compound, according to AgION, has two key components working together to suppress the growth of microbes:
- Silver Ions—the active agent
- Zeolite—acting as a reservoir, stores the silver ions and releases them.
When moisture is present, the zeolite acts as an ion pump providing controlled release of silver ions into the environment. This controlled release provides continuous antimicrobial protection.
For more information contact AK Steel.
