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	Podcast:		Federal Drive with Tom Temin
	Episode:		Federal scientists invent a possible new way to disinfect surfaces, without the harmful side effects
	Category:		Government & Organizations
	Duration:		00:23:02
	Publish Date:		2021-08-19 11:31:25
	Description:		Modern disinfectant products work really, really well at killing disease-causing microbes. But they bring problems along with them – from possible long-term environmental damage to antibiotic resistance. But what if you could create a chemical that was just as good at killing bacteria, but neutralized itself into harmless, natural molecules after it did its job? Researchers at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service think they may have done just that. Billy Hart-Cooper is an ARS research chemist in Albany, California. For his work on those biodegradable disinfectants, he’s been chosen as a finalist in the Service to America Medals’ Emerging Leaders category. He talked with the Federal Drive about why ARS is interested in disinfectant research, and what his team has developed so far.
	Total Play:		0