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Paint the World Healthy

09 Jul 2020

Tips & Advice

If we told you there is now a paint that can offer protection against human coronaviruses, you would probably be sceptical. But there is one, indeed! It is Nippon Paint VirusGuard+, an effective new line of defence in the fight against future outbreaks of disease.

The history of human suffering

While a pandemic on the scale of COVID-19 has been unprecedented in our lifetime, respiratory viruses have plagued humankind throughout history. Just one or two generations ago, the influenza virus, known as the Spanish flu, wiped out nearly a third of the world’s population. Then came severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), H1N1 influenza, Ebola and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). History will repeat itself. Epidemiologists are emphatic.

To win the war against future outbreaks of disease, it is necessary that we start planning now. From virologists working on vaccines to engineers perfecting drones for contactless delivery, action plans are being developed to minimize the scale and mitigate the pain of outbreak(s) to come. Governments and corporations around the world are investing large amounts of money in research and development. One such company is Nippon Paint Singapore.

Strokes of genius

In response to the findings of recent studies that show that surface contamination plays a significantly greater role than once thought in the community transmission of respiratory viruses, Nippon Paint escalated its development and trials of an advanced hygiene coating with antimicrobial properties. The result is Nippon Paint VirusGuard+.

A water-based, low-VOC interior wall paint, Nippon Paint VirusGuard+ utilises the proven power of copper ion technology to effectively kill human coronaviruses when they land on a coated surface.

Copper, a proven germ-stopper

While ‘copper ion technology’ may sound like the brainchild of a marketing spin doctor, veterans of the healthcare sector have known about it for decades. In the early 20th century, its antimicrobial, antiviral and antifungal properties were put to good use in hospitals, which were typically fitted with copper doorknobs, handrails, call buttons, miscellaneous high-contact surfaces and touch points. Sadly, it fell out of favour and was replaced by shiny-bright stainless steel for several decades. However, hospitals are now rediscovering this simple approach to controlling infection and reinstating them in their waiting areas, wards and intensive care units.

Venturing further back through history, long before hospitals caught on, the powerful properties of copper were known to the ancients. Fun fact: After battles, Egyptian and Babylonian soldiers would sharpen their bronze swords (an alloy of copper and tin) and place the filings in their wounds to fight infection and hasten healing. Traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine still employ its properties in various preparations and treatments.

How do you put a metal in a paint?

To harness the long-established antimicrobial and antifungal properties of copper, Nippon Paint encapsulated copper ions in microscopic glass beads and integrated them into Nippon Paint VirusGuard+. Once the paint has dried, the copper ions are steadily released to disable and kill all viruses that come in contact with the painted surface.

In particular, when living coronaviruses come in contact with the painted surface, a chemical reaction occurs whereby copper ions penetrate their spiky outer layers and dismantle the genetic material at their core. The microorganisms literally wither up and die. The viruses are disarmed, and humans remain unharmed.

The antimicrobial properties of Nippon Paint VirusGuard+ remain effective for as long as the paint film is intact. In fact, the paint’s antimicrobial action is so effective that disinfection can be safely conducted at much longer intervals. Be it in a home or hospital, a childcare centre or an aged care facility, this means that staff can redirect their efforts to focus on the holistic care of their charges rather than being tied up with round-the-clock cleaning. It also reduces the use of harsh chemical cleaning agents, which is great news for sensitive skins and noses.

Ideal for homes, hospitals and wherever hygiene is a high priority

There’s never been a greater awareness of the need to implement and enforce strict hygiene measures in our homes, public places and communities. While we are still reeling from the aftershock of COVID-19, and bracing ourselves for future outbreak(s) of disease(s), now is the perfect moment for an advanced hygiene coating like Nippon Paint VirusGuard+.

If you are a homeowner, especially if you have family members at home who are very young, chronically ill or elderly, Nippon Paint VirusGuard+ is a worthy investment for the future health of your family. If you are a business owner, it could help protect the health and safety of your staff and clients, and support your cleaning staff in their disinfection duties. Who would have thought that a coat of paint could do so much?

Buy Nippon Paint VirusGuard+ now, coat the walls of your home or business premises, and breathe easier for many months and years to come.

Nippon Paint VirusGuard+ is available in 23 contemporary shades and dries to a classic matt finish. Find out more about VirusGuard+ at https://www.nipponpaint.com.sg/virusguard/. It is available at $180 per 5L can from all Nippon Paint authorised dealers and online at https://www.nipponpaint.com.sg/store/products/virusguard/.

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