Subject: Re: [Harp-L] wooden cutting boards,,again

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Bob writes:
 
"One more thing,,though every time I pause and read this, I find  something,,

"We believe that the experiments were designed to be  properly representative
of conditions in a home kitchen."

What  "home kitchen" in the years addressed (1992-1997) did not use  brushes
for cleaning, but only "sponges". Again, I believe, a  constraint that causes
the study to be flawed.

I could go on,  but not at this time.

Bob"
 
...well, actually, I'm glad fjm posted the study because I was about  to 
begin the search for it right after catching up on my harp-l reading  (got back 
from Buckeye totally exhausted and am behind on my  mail). 
 
This wasn't the only page published...there was a LOT of media  coverage 
about that very study...the safety of wood vis-a-vis  plastic/other material 
cutting boards.  I remember it surprised a lot  of people at the time.  I don't 
think it was the only study  done, so will keep looking.  
 
As to your question about who "0nly" uses sponges...what you're  forgetting 
about are those heavy-duty sponges with the flip side  having a "scrub" side (I 
use the Scotch-Brite ones all the time)....some  for lighter-weight use, some 
heavier.  The blue ones are marvellous  for my dishes and Calphalon pots, the 
green ones for heavier use (they'll  clean anything) and I'd specifically 
save one heavy-weight one for my  cutting boards...they can be sterilized by 
boiling if you choose (they  might also be able to be nuked in the microwave 
though I haven't tried  that), or my method of coating them with Comet for a while 
to clean  them and then sticking them in the dishwasher after a  thorough 
rinsing...or tossing (I get 15-packs from the Warehouse  clubs), and they 
certainly get into all the nooks and crannies of the  cutting boards better than a 
scrub brush (which was tough on my hand  at the time - I'd had hand surgery)...
I haven't gone back to the scrub brush, because THAT has to be  disinfected 
too...and it's a heckuva lot simpler to disinfect or throw out  the scrubby 
sponge.
 
I'll try to find the article/coverage I'd read ...I also think it was  much 
more recent than 10 - 15 years ago. :)
 
Elizabeth 






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