Agion technology attacks school germs

A Wakefield company is helping to keep the cooties away. Using antimicrobial protection technology, Agion Technologies Inc. has partnered with school supply companies to offer protection for products used in bacteria-rich environments like schools, the company said.

Agion's technology inhibits the growth of microbes on surfaces, the company said. Products with it include Samsill binders, washable and dry erase markers and highlighters from Liqui-Mark, pencil sharpeners and staplers from Stanley Bostitch, and glue sticks from Charles Leonard .

"School supplies are often shared by many students. Having antimicrobial protection on these products make sense," said Stuart Patterson, the company's chief executive.

Retailers including Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and OfficeMax will carry some of the germ-protected supplies.

Agion protection is also used in a range of other goods, including medical devices, textiles, food service equipment, and architectural materials.
(By Elizabeth Campbell, Globe correspondent)