New paint can kill germs, including COVID-19, on all coated surfaces

A Pennsylvania congressman says a Pittsburgh company has helped developed a paint that can kill COVID-19 on surfaces, a discovery he predicts will be a game changer in the effort to stop the virus from spreading.

GOP Rep. Guy Reschenthaler says the paint is made up of certain minerals, like silver, which create the antimicrobial and antiviral properties in the paint. He told "Just the News AM" the paint is a huge win for public safety and public health because coated on tables and other similar surfaces, it will kill bacterias and viruses, ultimately stopping the spread. 

"If we're worried about transmitting viruses and bacteria through surfaces, if we can coat that surface with a coating that's antimicrobial, then it will by definition kill the bacteria and stop the spread," Reschenthaler told show host Carrie Sheffield. 

Pittsburgh-based PPG and Corning have partnered on the development, which purportedly kills 99.9% of COVID-19 on surfaces. Although the paint will not stop airborne transmission, it supposedly will help with any surfaces that are touched by many people frequently in places like schools and hospitals.

"This can make a big difference when we have many antimicrobial, antiviral coatings that we would use in paints," Reschenthaler also said.

The product could be on the market in just a few months depending on approval by the Environmental Protection Agency.