Latest news with #moldprevention
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Adept Materials Demonstrates Innovative Paint Technology to Combat Mold and Moisture Problems in Buildings
SOMERVILLE, Mass., July 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Adept Materials today announced successful pilot testing of its breakthrough moisture control paint and primer technology, which lowered peak bathroom humidity levels by 15 percentage points in controlled tests. The innovation offers building owners and homeowners a powerful new tool against mold growth and costly moisture damage. Mold and moisture remain some of the most persistent problems facing homeowners, property managers, and builders, with billions of dollars lost annually to remediation, repairs, and health-related issues. Adept Materials' first products — the Lilypad™ brand of moisture control paint and primer — aim to provide a new line of defense for bathrooms, kitchens, and other high-humidity spaces. "Most people think of paint as just a finish, but it can be so much more," said Derek Stein, CEO of Adept Materials. "By drawing inspiration from nature's ability to self-regulate, we're creating paints and primers that transform passive surfaces into responsive, functional layers of protection." The company recently completed a year-long pilot installation and study in heavily used commercial bathrooms at Greentown Labs, supported by the InnovateMass technology development program of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. In controlled tests simulating typical shower conditions, bathrooms treated with Adept's moisture control paint maintained peak humidity levels that were 15 percentage points lower than those with conventional paint. For example, where conventional paint allowed humidity to spike to 95%, Adept's paint kept levels below 80%. The technology also demonstrated remarkable durability, showing no signs of functional or visible deterioration after more than 150 cumulative hours of high-humidity exposure. "Supporting technologies that directly improve sustainability and health in buildings is core to Greentown Labs' mission," said Irina Kous, Senior Operations Manager at Greentown Labs. "Adept's technology shows how a simple solution can supercharge moisture control and building efficiency, delivering meaningful real-world benefits," said Greg Ralich, VP of Labs and Safety at Greentown Labs. Building on this success, Adept Materials is now scaling up manufacturing and preparing for additional pilot projects across residential and commercial properties in advance of a full product launch. With growing awareness of mold's serious health and financial impacts, Adept Materials is ready to deliver a powerful new solution. The company's upcoming Lilypad™ brand of advanced moisture-regulating paints and primers represents a major leap forward in proactive building protection, targeting the excess humidity and condensation that create conditions where mold thrives. Early adopters have a limited opportunity to participate in pilot installations and experience Lilypad's humidity control benefits and premium aesthetics firsthand before the official product launch. Property managers, contractors, and homeowners interested in joining the pilot program can contact the company at pilot@ or explore the product further at About Adept Materials Adept Materials is an advanced materials startup company based in Somerville, Massachusetts. Founded by Brown University Physics Professor Derek Stein, Adept is dedicated to reinventing building materials to improve the health, durability, and sustainability of the built environment. The company's patented technology advances moisture, humidity, and thermal management. For more information, visit Adept Materials Media Contact media@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Adept Materials
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
You're Probably Waiting Too Long to Replace Your Shower Liner—Here's Why It Matters
Key Points Replacing your shower liner regularly helps protect your health by preventing mold and bacteria from growing in the area where you bathe. Shower liners collect soap, moisture, and bacteria, which can develop into mold and potentially harm your lungs if not cleaned or replaced. Factors such as poor bathroom airflow, long liners, or excessive usage by multiple people can cause your liner to wear out more many things in life, knowing when it's time to replace home items—like air-filters or shower curtain liners—doesn't automatically come along with being an adult. You might have suffered through a few damaged or moldy shower liners without realizing it's time to switch them out. Wondering how often to replace the shower liner? We consulted with two experts—one a cleaning professional and the other a PhD researcher in hygiene and infection prevention—to gain a balanced perspective on the when and why of shower liner the Expert Sofia Martinez, a cleaning expert at Sparkly Maid Austin Shanina C. Knighton, PhD, RN, CICRelated: How to Clean Every Type of Shower, From Glass to Tile Why Does Replacing Your Shower Liner Matter? Sofia Martinez, a cleaning expert at Sparkly Maid Austin, explains that your shower liner is much more than a splash guard (although folks often view it as such). "The liner touches everything—soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and all the humidity in the room," Martinez says. If you don't frequently replace or clean your liner, moisture and humidity from your bathroom will eventually allow mold and bacteria to grow. And mold and bacteria do more than just smell musty (although that's another unpleasant con). Shanina C. Knighton, PhD, RN, CIC, researches both infection prevention and hygiene, and states that shower liners are a breeding ground for mold, especially if you're not on top of regular maintenance and replacement. "If there is visible mold, discolored dots, and you are showering in steam, you could be inhaling mold spores," Knighton explains, "which is not ideal for your health, including your lungs and breathing. Hygienically, a dirty liner can undo all the work you are doing to get clean if you come in contact with it while showering." Related: How Often You Should Clean Every Part of Your Bathroom, According to Experts How Often Should You Replace Your Shower Liner? Martinez suggests replacing your shower liner every six to eight months, but says many factors can influence the ideal replacement time. "If your bathroom doesn't have much air circulation, or if a lot of people are using the shower on a daily basis, you'll probably be able to notice mildew and hardwater buildup more quickly,' Martinez says. 'I'll say that once the liner starts looking cloudy, tacky, or starts to smell musty, it's usually really a good time for a new one.' Regularly inspecting your shower liner will help you check and see if it's time for a replacement. 'Let's say a clear liner turns gray or blurred, a liner gets stained, or smells, and cleaning it does not work, then it is time to change it,' says Knighton. 'I also suggest checking the texture: if the top feels smooth but the bottom is sticky, gummy, slimy, or rough and inconsistent, it is a sign of wear and tear.' According to Martinez, if the liner seems to generally be in decent shape, but has soap scum or shampoo stuck to it, you should be able to clean it sufficiently. She recommends refreshing your liner with a combo of vinegar and baking soda to neutralize Even if your liner says it's 'anti-mold' on the tag, damage and frequent use can throw these claims out the Your Bathroom Environment Impacts the Lifespan of Your Liner Factors like subpar ventilation, frequent shower usage, and high water pressure can all impact the lifespan of your shower liner. Knighton also warns that germs circulate more in bathrooms where your sink, toilet, and tub are positioned closely together, compared to an open, well-ventilated layout. If this describes your bathroom set-up, pay close attention to the length of the liner you choose: Knighton says that a liner that is too long for the tub can cause more germs and mold to accumulate. Regularly cleaning your shower liner can increase its lifespan, but Knighton cautions folks to check their liner's tag for instructions on proper care. 'Some liners will actually tell you what cleaning products are safe or what to avoid so that you don't break down the material by mistake,' she explains. "Be cautious of spraying your liners down with chemicals and not rinsing them off properly. Ventilate, disinfect, and clean, and then properly rinse," Knighton adds. "Without cleaning chemicals off properly, the next time you shower, you will then be breathing in chemicals that are potentially harmful." Read the original article on Martha Stewart
