| Biocidal finishes grafted onto medical textiles are a potential technology to reduce nosocomial infection transmission. But is the application and use of biocidal finishes worth the environmental cost? Life cycle inventories (LCI) are a tool to show the resources used and emissions generated over the life cycle of a product. In this research, life cycle inventories are utilized in the design of a reusable medical garment with a biocidal finish to: assess options for the biocidal chemical, compare the reusable garment with a disposable garment, and assess the use of a biocidal finish in a hospital setting.;The cradle-to-gate life cycle inventories of two biocidal halamines---3-allyl-5,5-dimethyl hydantoin (ADMH) and dimethylol-5,5-dimethyl hydantoin (DMDMH)---are compared to allow the manufacturer to select the chemical that consumes less energy and raw materials and generates fewer emissions. The reusable garment is then compared with a disposable gown of similar use to determine, cradle-to-use, which has the better environmental performance.;Life cycle inventory analysis is also used to determine the resources and emissions saved by the hypothetical use of a biocidal patient gown and the subsequent reduction in nosocomial infections. This is a novel area for LCI, as no LCI has been studied for treating an infection previously. When a patient contracts an infection while in the hospital, additional materials are used to test the patient, to provide contact isolation, and to treat the patient. Inventories were analyzed for each phase of this treatment using MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) as the nosocomial infection contracted and treated. |
