MIDDLETOWN, OH - AK Steel, a manufacturer of steel products for the construction market, announced the completion of the "AK Steel Concept Home," reported to be the nation's first "antimicrobial" house as a result of the use of coatings that contain an antimicrobial compound named AgION™.

The 11,000-square-foot home, located in the Los Angeles area city of Simi Valley, is furnished with carbon and stainless steels coated with the antimicrobial product. The coating, made by an AK Steel subsidiary, AK Coatings, is designed to reduce bacteria, mold and fungus.

The treated steel materials are used for the home's kitchen appliances and ceiling panels, and throughout the home in "high-touch" areas such as door handles. The coating is also applied to carbon steel used in the home's heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

AK Steel describes the antimicrobial compound used in the coatings as an inorganic material containing silver ions within a zeolite matrix. When moisture is present, the zeolite provides controlled release of the silver ions to suppress the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew, fungi and other organisms. The antimicrobial compound is incorporated into an epoxy- or polyester-based pigmented paint system that is applied to steel coil.

AK Coatings manufactures a line of flat-rolled stainless and carbon steels finished with coatings containing the antimicrobial compound.