Provided is a process for forming forming an antimicrobial polymer composition comprising: contacting together at least one initiator, at least one promoter, at least one reductant, and at least one monomer, under emulsion polymerization conditions to form a base polymer; and mixing with the base polymer an antimicrobial complex; wherein the at least one initiator is a peroxidic compound and the at least one reductant is an ascorbic compound.