|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Microwave Kills Germs in Sponges
Microwave Can Sterilize Kitchen Sponges and Plastic
Scrubbing Pads, Study Shows
By Jennifer
Warner,
WebMD
Medical News
|
January 2007 - Your microwave may be
a powerful weapon in protecting your family against
disease-causing germs.
A new study shows zapping sponges and
plastic scrubbing pads in the microwave can kill
bacteria, such as E. coli, that can cause illness.
"Basically, what we find is that we
could knock out most bacteria in two minutes," says
researcher Gabriel Bitton, professor of
environmental engineering at the University of
Florida, in a news release.
"People often put their sponges and
scrubbers in the dishwasher, but if they really want
to decontaminate them and not just clean them, they
should use the microwave."
Researchers say disease-causing
bacteria and germs from uncooked eggs, meat, and
vegetables often work their way onto countertops and
cleaning tools, and the dampness of sponges, dish
cloths, and scrubbers provide an ideal breeding
ground for the bugs.
Microwave Sterilizes Sponges
In the study, published in the
Journal of Environmental Health, researchers
evaluated the effects of zapping sponges and plastic
scrubbing pads in the microwave on bacteria and
viruses.
The sponges and scrubbing pads were
soaked in wastewater containing a dangerous mix of
fecal bacteria, E. coli, and bacterial spores.
Bacterial spores are more difficult to kill.
The results showed that two minutes
in the microwave at full power killed or inactivated
more than 99% of all the living germs and the
bacterial spores in the sponges and pads, including
E. coli.
After an additional two minutes -- a
total of four -- none of the bacterial spores
survived.
Before you zap your sponges in the
microwave, researchers offer the following advice:
-
Microwave only sponges or plastic
scrubbers that do not contain steel or other
metals.
-
Make sure the sponge or scrubber
is wet, not dry.
-
Two minutes should be enough to
kill most disease-causing germs.
-
Be careful in removing the sponge
from the microwave because it will be hot and
should not be handled immediately after zapping.
Bitton recommends that people
microwave their sponges according to how often they
cook, with every other day being a good rule of
thumb.
| |
|
© 2007, WebMD Inc. All rights reserved. |
| |
| |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
It's
easy to stay up to date on the things that interest you.
Just 
