Abstract
Antimicrobial agents used in antimicrobial products are classified into inorganic, organic, and natural organic compounds. Inorganic agents, such as Cu, Zn, and Ag compounds, are known to be relatively safe, and these agents are used in many kinds of products. Patients with metal allergy and infants should avoid coming in contact with products in which inorganic agents are used at high concentrations. However, areas treated with metal compound agents and their concentrations are not indicated in most commercially available products. In this study, to establish a simple method of measuring the concentrations of metals in product areas, we evaluated screening methods using non-destructive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). Qualitative analysis by XRF and quantitative analysis by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) were performed in the same areas, and the results were compared. Furthermore, concentrations of metals used in 40 commercially available antimicrobial products (86 areas) were analyzed. As the result, XRF was useful for the screening of Cu and Zn, but not for the screening of Ag. The use of inorganic antimicrobial treatment was indicated on 11 products, but 25 products were treated with inorganic antimicrobial agents. Cu was detected in 11 products. Ag was detected in 5 products, in which Cu or Zn were contained at higher concentrations. In 18 products, Zn was used for the antimicrobial treatment.
