Sanitised® Actifresh: Innovative hygiene protection

The temperature in the warehouse is up to 35 °C. Sticky, sweaty hands are therefore almost part of everyday life. There is only one winner here - bacteria and fungi. These unwanted microorganisms are not only a burden on general well-being, but can also be serious pathogens.

Conventional measures to reduce germs - such as frequent hand washing, sanitiser or regular changes of gloves - quickly reach their limits here. Frequent glove changes can disrupt the workflow, especially during strenuous physical work, while disinfectants additionally irritate or dry out the skin.

With Sanitized® Actifresh, Sanitized AG relies on a robust silver ion technology that permanently protects work gloves against bacteria and fungi - without compromising on comfort or protection.

Further on in the article you will learn:

• What factors favour the growth of bacteria and fungi
• What risks are posed by contaminated PPE
• How Sanitized offers a modern solution

What factors favour the growth of bacteria and fungi?

The interaction of various factors can significantly influence the growth of bacteria and fungi, these are:

Temperature optimum: Many human skin germs multiply most rapidly at 30-37 °C. As the temperature rises, the division rate increases. The division rate increases as the temperature rises. Even an increase from 20°C to 25°C can approximately double the multiplication rate of bacteria.

Humidity: Water is essential for cell metabolism. At a relative humidity of less than 60 %, hardly any microbial growth is to be expected. With sweaty gloves, values of 65 % and more are quickly reached.

Organic residues: Residues such as skin flakes (horny cells), sweat and sebum serve as a source of nutrients for skin germs and thus promote their growth.

Limited ventilation: Depending on the material, moisture and heat can hardly escape from the inside of a glove, which increases the aforementioned factors.

How does the antimicrobial property work?

Sanitised® Actifresh is based on silver-containing compounds. These chemical compounds are incorporated into a special carrier material so that silver ions are permanently released. The result is the rapid death of microorganisms even after brief contact.

The silver ions impair the growth of microorganisms in various ways:

• Attack on the cell membrane
• Inhibition of cell division
• Blockade of vital enzymes

What risks are posed by contaminated PPE

Contaminated PPE not only causes unpleasant odours, but also poses considerable risks - both for the user and for the entire working environment. If gloves and other protective materials are not adequately protected against microbial colonisation, PPE itself can quickly become a source of infection and health hazards.

Increased risk of infection for the user

If a person wears contaminated gloves, pathogens can get onto the skin or into the body via minor skin injuries. There is a particular risk of germs in gloves being transferred to the face, eyes or mouth. This significantly increases the risk of wound infections, gastrointestinal illnesses or respiratory infections.

Cross-contamination in the workplace

If the same gloves are used across multiple workstations, microorganisms can be transferred from one surface - or substance - to another.

Long-term health consequences

Certain microorganisms that colonise warm, damp gloves produce toxins or allergens. If these come into contact with the skin over a longer period of time, chronic skin irritation, allergic dermatoses and even asthma attacks can be triggered. Small cracks in the skin in particular offer fungi ideal entry points.

Reduced protective effect of PPE

Microbial colonised gloves change their material properties over time: elasticity and tear resistance decrease and microcracks can occur. This increases the likelihood of unnoticed skin injuries, through which pathogens can penetrate even more easily. The actual protective effect of the PPE may be lost completely.

The Sanitized® Actifresh seal of approval

For those who place particular value on hygienic protection over and above our already high quality standards, products with Sanitized® Actifresh are the ideal solution - recognisable by the corresponding seal of approval. However, due to different material properties and areas of application, not all work gloves can be equipped with Sanitised technology. You can find appropriately equipped models using the ‘Function’ filter in the work gloves category.