AbstractA number of carboxyl‐containing ethylene copolymers have been prepared which exhibit long term antibacterial and antifungal properties. These materials, containing antimicrobial agents bound to the copolymer backbone as carboxylate salts, have been tested for their applicability to hospital products as a means of providing “self‐sanitizing” articles. Tests have shown that these materials, although not bactericidal, do inhibit microbial growth. Investigations of the compatibility of these polymers with commodity polymers have been made and water emulsions of the polymers have been tested for applicability as components of product protectant coatings.