antimicrobial layer in EPiBi products

I get asked by many lactation specialists and nurses about what makes EPiBi Nursing Pad's antimicrobial properties different from other nursing pads.

EPiBi Nursing Pads are the only antimicrobial nursing pads on the market.  The antimicrobial layer in the inner lining of the EPiBi pads is permanently bound to each and every fiber of the fabric.  It does not wash off - repeat washing does not eliminate antimicrobial effect.  It also does not leach out onto the skin, like silver products used to.  It biodegrades in about 5 years and does not harm the fish, like some heavy metals do.

Some people claim that bamboo has natural antimicrobial effect.  Recently, the Federal Trade Commission cited four companies for falsely claiming bamboo having an antimicrobial effect.  They were fined and ordered to permanently retract such a claim.  When I spoke to a textile microbiology professor @ Colorado State University, he told me that some of his graduate students measured antimicrobial effect of bamboo fabrics.  There was none.  His students' findings were published in textile journals.

Someone told me this week that silk has natural antimicrobial effect.  I wonder about that.  When I spoke to a silk merchant from Italy, his company had to treat their fibers with an antimicrobial substance to make it antimicrobial.  It seems to me he knows more about silk than just about anybody else in the world.

I invite readers to comment, because there is a lively discussion out there amongst folks advocating "only natural" products.  Your comments are welcome.

Elly Hann
creator of EPiBi hypoallergenic diaper liners & EPiBi antimicrobial washable nursing pads
www.epibi.com