For
Counter Cleanliness Granite is the Way to Go If
you are concerned about bacterial contamination of your kitchen
countertop, it looks like stainless steel and granite are
the way to go.
That's what a recent study by the Hospitality
Institute of Technology and Management, a St. Paul, Minnesota-based
organization that develops educational materials and research
for the retail food industry shows.
The study measured the bacteria resistance
capacity of six common countertop materials. Each surface
was contaminated with E-coli (nearly 2 billion of the microorganisms),
washed and rinsed with soap and water and then sanitized with
a vinegar-and-water solution. The results are show in the
table below.
|
|
Surface Microorganisms ELIMINATED by
Cleaning |
| |
Stainless Steel
Granite
Plastic Laminate
Tile
Concrete
Wood |
85,113,804
79,432,823
498,884
293,765
32,810
2,080 |
|
Dr. O. Peter Snyder, Jr. who conducted the study says, "We
hope our research will help consumers make healthy decisions
when selecting a countertop surface for their kitchen.
Source: Today's Homeowner Magazine
Members: Building Stone Institute and
Marble Institute of America
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