Myths about Countertop Sanitation . . . . .

Today’s consumer is offered a wide range of surfacing materials for use in countertop applications. Once in service, these countertop surfaces will be exposed to a variety of contaminative substances. The key safety issue to the consumer is the degree of cleanability of the surface material, that is, how easily any contaminants can be removed using normal and reasonable cleaning practices.

The following study by Dr. O. Peter Snyder of the Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management (http://www.hi-tm.com/Documents/Countertops.html) used E. coli bacteria as its contaminating agent. The findings of the report show significant cleanability advantages of natural granite countertops over almost all other commonly found countertop surface materials.

The study included 6 countertop surfaces, which were washed and rinsed after exposure to the bacteria. They were later cleaned with a 10% solution of white household vinegar (1 part 5% vinegar, 9 parts water). Bacteria counts were taken after both cleaning methods.
 

Granite Ranked 1st in Cleanability
After washing and rinsing, the granite tops provided the greatest reduction in bacteria counts of all the countertop materials tested:

When Dilute Vinegar Solution Used: Granite 2nd Only to Stainless Steel
Counts taken after the application of the dilute vinegar solution showed the granite having a bacteria count reduction second only to stainless steel, but 160 times better than the next closest material:

We have reprinted Dr. Snyder’s report in its entirety herein for your review (click here).