MRSA and Clostridium difficile were linked to more than 8000 deaths in England and Wales in 2006, up from 5300 the previous year. According to the Office of National Statistics, approximately 1,650 people per annum in the UK have died as a result of a MRSA related infection. This follows a dramatic increase from 51 to 1,649 deaths between 1993 and 2005.

The Barton company, which has previously specialised in agricultural products is now able to distribute a ground-breaking product manufactured by Chrisal, a leading European cleaning product company.

Chrisal manufactures and distributes eco-friendly cleaning products. It has become the world’s first company developing purely natural cleaning technology which has been proven not to harm human body as well as the environment.

Its Probiotic In Progress (PIP) products, which Envirosystems will now be distributing in the UK, have been used in six hospitals in Belgium and have had excellent results in containing MRSA and other hospital bacteria.

Liz Russell, managing director of Envirosystems, commented on the exclusive agreement. She said:

“We are excited about delivering this product to the UK market as it is going to make a huge difference to the level of hygiene in the country’s hospital wards.

“Unfortunately, innumerable harmful bacteria are rampant everywhere in hospitals no matter how they try to keep them clean.

“With current disinfectants, harmful bacteria such as MRSA and C-difficile can’t be removed by using any chemical cleaning products or disinfectant. They are also continuously threatening the health of medical workers and patients.

"However, Chrisal's PIP cleaning products have proven to be very effective in various cases of applications in medical environments. The probiotics in PIP Healthcare products indeed encourage the settlement of friendly bacteria instead of harmful bacteria, thus keeping the facilities in sanitary condition whilst being hugely cost effective."

Rob Dobson, solicitor in the corporate department of Napthens added:
“Envirosystems is a hugely successful and highly innovative company which will expand with this exclusive distribution agreement in place. It has been an interesting and exciting agreement to work on and I am proud to have played a part in bringing this product to the marketplace which will have a huge impact in the management of MRSA and help a Preston business be very successful.”