PPG working on self-cleaning counters that kill, resist bacteria

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | July 24, 2004 | The Associated Press

[Willie Green]

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Arsenals of anti-bacterial sprays and other cleaners crowding cupboards in kitchens across the country could become unnecessary if the company that created windows that partially clean themselves can bring the technology indoors.

Researchers at Penn State University and PPG Industries are trying to develop self-cleaning countertops that would keep bacteria from getting a toehold and also kill them on contact.

"If you have a food preparation area, and you think you've cleaned it, the truth of the matter is if you go back in and take swabs, the bacteria are still there," David Diehl, a senior scientist for Pittsburgh-based PPG, told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review in an article published Saturday. "We're trying to address this as best we can with our coatings technology."

Nationwide, 76 million people suffer from food-borne illnesses each year, accounting for 325,000 hospitalizations and more than 5,000 deaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

[Willie Green]

I'm not certain that we should be welcoming this technological development.
Granted, good sanitary practices contribute immensely to healthful living.
But there is growing, legitimate evidence that excessive use of disinfectants, anti-biotics, etc. etc. accelerates the evolution of resistant strains of bacteria. The unintended consequence is that harmful bacteria become even MORE harmful in the long run.
IMHO, this may be one of those rare instances where we may be better off shunning the high-tech approach and simply stay with our current arsenal of household cleansers. We can keep our countertops "clean enough" using them, and let our natural anti-bodies take care of the ones that are missed. I don't really want to be breeding any super-resistant microbes in my own home. It's bad enough that that's already happening in hospitals.

[Magic Fingers]

It appears that the coating kills microbes by a mechanical action, which would seem to make it less likely that a resistant strain would develop.

[BenLurkin]

REUTERS ABRIDGED BUSINESS SUMMARY
"PPG Industries, Inc. is a multinational manufacturer with three business segments: coatings, glass and chemicals. The coatings segment supplies a variety of protective and decorative coatings and finishes along with adhesives, sealants and metal pretreatment products for aerospace, industrial, packaging, architectural, automotive original equipment and aftermarket refinish applications.
" The glass segment supplies flat glass, fabricated glass and continuous-strand fiber glass for residential and commercial construction, automotive original and replacement markets and industrial applications.
" The chemicals segment supplies chlor-alkali and specialty chemicals products."

[Begin]

[xm177e2]

This thing kills bacteria and other organic (carbon-based) molecules. Until bacteria evolve into non-carbon based lifeforms, we will be safe.

[Restorer]

There is growing evidence that attempting to create a "sterile" environment may backfire. One of the more disgusting examples came out this week, when it was announced that intentionally infecting people with worms cured their irritable bowel syndrome and similar problems at a very high rate of efficiency.

When you think about it, humans have pretty much always been infected with parasites like worms except for the last hundred years or so in advanced societies. Getting rid of all of them may just have unintended consequences.

[RadioAstronomer]

This is cool. I would buy one.

[Willie Green]

This thing kills bacteria and other organic (carbon-based) molecules. Until bacteria evolve into non-carbon based lifeforms, we will be safe.

Speak for yourself.
I happen to be a carbon-based lifeform myself.
And I don't relish the idea of having my molecular bonds ripped apart by my kitchen countertop.

[Servant of the 9]

What happens if you lay the baby on the counter and turn to get a clean diaper from the bag?

So9

[Servant of the 9]

There is a crystaline titanium finish used on some titanium blade knives that is supposed to disrupt all bacteria that encounter it.

The Boker Personal

So9

[Willie Green]

What happens if you lay the baby on the counter and turn to get a clean diaper from the bag?

The baby might roll off the counter and splat onto the floor.
IMHO, babies should never be placed on a hard surface.
They require much gentler handling when being changed.
Something SOFT, like a bed, sofa, or even on the floor (if you have nicely padded wall-to-wall carpeting.)
But please don't place 'em on a hard kitchen countertop.
The little critters may seem fairly durable, but they're actually quite fragile when they're young.

[GSlob]

Well, combining this titania-coated (tungstates would be even more active) surface with washing liquids containing peroxide (like laundry powders do) would help by oxidizing away all life forms from the surface. One would still have to clean the surface, though, at least occasionally.
As I understand it, idea is not to do away with cleaning, but to make the cleaning both more thorough and easier to perform.
Then, one would apply an oxidizing solution/surfactant to the surface, rub lightly to ensure it is all wetted, and forget about it for 10 minutes. Later one would need to carefully rinse with water several times, so that all oxidation products are washed away.

[GSlob]

"And I don't relish the idea of having my molecular bonds ripped apart by my kitchen countertop."
Each time a disinfectant like 3% hydrogen peroxide is locally applied to you, the top layers (few cells depth) of you at the point of application are chemically disrupted. But like a good onion, you have a lot of layers and could spare a few, especially for a good cause. Besides, as long as you are alive, they'll grow back, and soon you will have anothe annual ring.
The bacteria, on another hand, are single cells - only one cell deep. So when it goes, so do they.

[Willie Green]

Good explanations!
Perhaps I was overly hastey in my judgement of this technology.

[snopercod]

Have they come out with the radioactive Corian yet? Not only does is kill bacteria, but it glows in the dark and can serve as a food warmer.

[freebilly]

It appears that the coating kills microbes by a mechanical action, which would seem to make it less likely that a resistant strain would develop.

Less likely in this case means a 99.9% rather than 100% likelihood.

A resistant strain of bacteria will appear over time.

[RadioAstronomer]

Have they come out with the radioactive Corian yet? Not only does is kill bacteria, but it glows in the dark and can serve as a food warmer.

LOL! Add thermocouples and you have a kitchen RTG. :-)

[RadioAstronomer]

A resistant strain of bacteria will appear over time.

Not from what I read. This disrupts all unicellular carbon based life forms.

[chilepepper]

don't need no special counter that cleans itself... our six month old boxer climbs up and licks our counter spotless...

[farmfriend]

You all are missing the most important part. Studies have shown that the constant use of anti bacterials in our homes is what is causing the increase in allergies. I don't care how clean they make the counter. We are evolved in a bacteria infested environment. Get rid of the bacteria and we harm ourself.