However, conventional antibiotics are generally bacteriostatic or bactericidal, which means that they indiscriminately kill or prevent the growth of both pathogenic and beneficial microbes.

For instance, the bacteriostatic silver nanoparticles used in socks to reduce foot odor are released in the wash and enter the waste water stream.

Technicians spray these with a bacteriostatic shield that repels contaminants from sticking to anything in the room.