Applications & Benefits of Antimicrobials
Antimicrobials are a class of essential substances that help prevent the spread of harmful organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, so we can live and work with greater confidence and safety.
They are used every day to help protect our health and, behind the scenes, to preserve the systems, materials, and infrastructure we depend on.
Protecting Public Health and Preventing Disease
How do antimicrobials help keep us safe?
Antimicrobial products like disinfectants and sanitizers play an essential role in protecting public health by helping control harmful microorganisms on surfaces, in water systems, and across critical environments where people live, work, learn, travel, and receive care. These products are tested to ensure they can kill various germs, including those that cause flu, norovirus, colds, and other diseases.
You’ll find them in places like:
- Hospitals and Healthcare Settings
- Schools and Daycare Facilities
- Gyms
- Homes
- Offices
- Public Transportation
Supporting the Systems We Depend On
How do antimicrobials help protect infrastructure and essential systems?
Beyond visible, everyday use, antimicrobials play an important role in preserving materials and supporting critical systems that keep society functioning.
They are used to:
- Help protect industrial materials from degradation and contamination
- Extend the life of coatings, equipment, and building materials
- Support reliable supply chains and manufacturing processes
- Maintain performance across transportation, commercial, and public infrastructure
By helping prevent deterioration and contamination, antimicrobials contribute to systems that are more reliable, efficient, and sustainable.
Supporting Critical Environments and Operations
In addition to everyday and infrastructure applications, antimicrobials play a critical role in protecting key environments, processes, and workers across a range of industries.
They are used to:
- Support environmental protection efforts
Helping manage microbial growth in settings where it can impact ecosystems, materials, or system performance - Maintain manufacturing and industrial processes
Helping prevent contamination that can disrupt operations, reduce efficiency, or compromise product quality - Enhance worker protection
Supporting safer working conditions in environments where exposure to microbes may be a concern
These targeted applications help ensure that complex systems and operations can function safely, efficiently, and reliably.