EAST MIDLANDS COLOUR AND COATINGS GROUP
HALF DAY SEMINAR
JOINTLY SPONSORED BY:
THE OIL & COLOUR CHEMISTS’ ASSOCIATION AND THE SOCIETY OF DYERS & COLOURISTS
COATINGS AND TEXTILES
KEEPING THE BUGS AT BAY
Tuesday 31st March 2009
1.30pm - 5.00pm
NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY
CELS Building, Clifton campus, Nottingham
Barely a day goes by without one health issue or another making the news. Cholera, AIDS, HIV, Avian Flu and SARS have made global headlines in recent times. Closer to home we’ve had BSE, Foot and Mouth, CJD, Bluetongue disease and a measles increase following fears over the safety of the MMR Jab.
Bacteria related infections also frequent the front pages. In 2006 a confectioner was forced to recall one million chocolate bars following a Salmonella outbreak at one of its factories. The cost to the business was reportedly £20m. A year later a woman died after eating E Coli 0157 infected cooked meat purchased from a supermarket in Scotland. Other cases include outbreaks of Legionnaire’s disease and botulism.
In healthcare, Hospital Associated Infections (HAIs) are caused by micro-organisms that usually live quite harmlessly on the human body. Problems occur once they get inside the body. Invasive surgery and weakened immune systems provide opportunities for attack. With increased resistance to antibiotics, “superbugs” such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile, are of particular concern.
Bacteria on the skin are directly responsible for BO, or body odour. When fluid is released in the form of sweat, bacteria breaks it down, yielding a cocktail of unpleasant smelling chemicals. When sweat is absorbed into the fibres of clothing, this creates conditions for bacteria to thrive. High Street retailers bear witness to the way that the apparel industry has embraced anti-microbial technology in producing clothing with odour control. Innovative application, bonding and release methods have been developed to ensure these properties remain in the clothing over a lengthy period of time, helping to maintain freshness by killing odour-causing bacteria through a lifespan of multiple washes.
Whilst the TV adverts tell us that not all bacteria are bad, the war against bugs is a particular priority for the Food Standards Agency and the NHS. The surface coatings, textiles and apparel industries are playing a key role by developing and providing the ammunition to fight back.
Consisting of four presentations, this half day seminar will set out to define and identify harmful bacteria and the various anti-microbial technologies developed for use in coatings and textiles. It will include technical and marketing issues as well as environmental and safety concerns. With so much common ground, it will be of particular interest to those involved in healthcare and food preparation, science students and members of the surface coatings and textiles industries. An inclusive help yourself buffet lunch will precede the event from noon. To guarantee a place, early booking is strongly advised.
FOR FULL PROGRAMME DETAILS, DELEGATE RATES AND TO REGISTER ONLINE PLEASE VISIT
www.occa.org.uk/bugs