How have textile industries evolved better with the AATCC 100 Testing?
Pandemic has undoubtedly taught everyone the importance of health and hygiene. It has made us realize that every little step towards hygiene can make a big difference. The crucial teaching of these situations is awarding every industry and individual. A phrase that we all are well aware of: “Precaution is better than cure.” One of the critical solutions is to make changes at the initial stages. The textile industry is one of the most popular and necessary industries. Whether staying home or going out, we all wear clothes in different forms. Hospitals, on the other hand, are places that need to be at utmost hygiene. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the demand for antimicrobial textiles worldwide. That is why only clothes which are AATCC 100 tested are allowed to be used in hospitals. Several tests like the AATCC 100 Test are the critical step or process before using any clothes in places like hospitals or care centres.
The optimization of screening methods used to detect antimicrobials from other natural sources is critical, given the inability to acquire new molecules with antimicrobial properties from microorganisms. But why do we need such testing? What difference does it make? These are some of the most frequent questions that we come across after hearing about such a test. Before moving forward about these tests’ advantages, we first need to encounter what AATCC 100 testing is?
What is the AATCC 100 Test?
AATCC 100 Test is a quantitative method of determining the antimicrobial activity on textile materials. This procedure tests both bacteriostatic and killing of bacteria with the antimicrobial test agents. Microbial agents are beneficial for fabric additives that offer resistance from all the harmful microorganisms that can cause further infections and disease. In conformity with the AATCC 100 test procedure, 1 ml of test organism suspension at about 1000,000 CFU/ml is inoculated to the test sample. This test is conducted in six critical steps, i.e. preparation of illustrations, sterilization, vaccination, incubation, washing/shaking out, and counting. This test is primarily performed on both treated and non-treated test materials. There are several companies like MIS which perform tests like these. The textile industry must be tested and certified by authentic test laboratories like MIS. MIS is the leading test laboratory in Switzerland and has the most trusted laboratory in different places across the globe.
In order to maintain the textile standard in terms of safety and hygiene, textile manufacturers are investing heavily in more sophisticated methods. Technology has transformed the old practices into new and efficient processes. The AATCC 100 test offers many advantages that help industries feel secure and promote a healthy methodology in the business.
Excessive Growing Demand of the AATCC 100 Test
In the time of the pandemic, every person can witness the increasing demand for antimicrobial textiles. Antimicrobial tissues have dominated the market due to growing awareness of health and hygiene. Textile industries have been emerging and adapting to foster technology to provide antimicrobial fibres all across the world. The market has witnessed a swing inclining towards antimicrobial and has driven the entire textile industry towards it. Another important factor that drives the growth of antimicrobial textiles is the increase in the disposable income of consumers, together with an improvement in lifestyle and higher spending on health and hygiene. When washing, these products release antimicrobial agents such as PHMB, QAC, and many others. As a result, these chemicals can contaminate natural water resources, thus affecting the environment.
Promotes Hygiene and Prevent Infections
The AATCC 100 test has increased the demand for hygiene in every step from packaging until it is delivered. Coronavirus has made everyone realize that even an invisible minute organism can cause vast killings. The rapid evolution of microbial resistance to traditional antibiotics has caused significant concern in treating infectious diseases. Many studies have recently been conducted to find promising solutions to these issues.
The new wave of innovation has marked the evolution of the textile sector all around the world. Now, clothes’ performance is judged according to the quality, wrinkle-free abilities, and durability and capabilities to fight viruses. Today’s most significant problems, such as microbial infections and antibiotic resistance, are the biggest threats to society’s health. Every year, millions of people die as a result of microbial infections around the world. Conditions were responsible for 9.2 million deaths in 2013, accounting for about 17% of all deaths. The occurrence of resistance evolution has caused the current antibacterials to fail. Top companies like MIS let you experience the AATCC 100 test, which is an excellent way to quantify the bacterial activities of antimicrobial fabrics. MIS maintains the adaptability and enhancement of these tests to promote the upcoming technology in antimicrobial. It also ensures the relevancy of these bacterial testings in our daily lives, performs the best-suited test for the material, and provides accurate and relevant results.
Also read- A Brief on the objectives of antibacterial finishes on clothes.
