You never get bored from 2020 onwards: between Covid, monkeypox and even a return of Polio, the focus on hygiene is higher than ever. For once, however, there is good news that does not divide public opinion between "pros" and "cons", but brings everyone into agreement: a newly developed coating is able to keep surfaces free from germs for months afterwards its application.
Scientists fromUniversity of Michigan have developed a durable coating that constantly kills viruses and bacteria: found here the extract of their work. It is a transparent coating, which can be deposited or even sprayed on many surfaces: designed primarily for hospitals, airports and other high-density areas, it could be used to eliminate germs everywhere. Touch screens, personal computer keyboards, food cutting boards. The only limit is your imagination: where will these cursed people hide?
Only one adjective: formidable
Disinfectants such as bleach, alcohol and UV rays are now known to eliminate germs from surfaces. Although they work quickly, they do not provide long-lasting protection: it only takes a few minutes and the surface can be reinfected. On the other hand, some copper-based alloys (also being studied for hospitals) make it difficult for germs to survive, but work slowly.
The University of Michigan coating appears to be a formidable fusion: it works quickly and remains effective for a long time. Very long.
Laboratory tests have shown that the coating can kill SARS-CoV-2 (the virus associated with COVID-19), E. coli, MRSA and a number of other common pathogens. And it continues to do so like a killer: 99,9% of the germs were eliminated constantly for six months (this was the duration of the experiment). During this period of time the surfaces studied were used (beating chicken on cutting boards, pressing keys on keyboards or smartphones, etc.).
The comparison was merciless: there were many fewer germs on the treated surfaces than those found on other surfaces. Even those that were constantly cleaned, exposed to UV rays and subjected to obsessive levels of hygiene.
Ok, it kills germs: but is it safe for health?
If you're wondering how a substance like this can destroy germs for months and be safe for those who come into contact with it, there's more good news. The key elements that give this coating its “killer” ability are all derived from two simple natural extracts: tea tree oil and cinnamon oil.
They can even be found in food.
The level of protection from germs, as mentioned, begins to reduce after the first six months, but (and this is three good news, too many for a single article) it is enough to "recharge" the coating to make it effective again. Where's the catch? I haven't been this excited since they discovered that coating that repairs car scratches in 30 seconds simply by exposing the car to the sun.
I can't wait for it to be commercially available.
