News Chemistry

A disinfectant made from sawdust mows down deadly microbes

Wood waste could help make some cleaning products more sustainable

sawdust

Some disinfectants rely on a chemical compound called phenol or similar molecules. Sawdust waste may provide a renewable source of those antimicrobial substances.

jypsygen/flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

By Carolyn Wilke

- More than 2 years ago

A new, sustainable disinfectant made from sawdust and water can knock out more than 99 percent of some disease-causing microbes, including anthrax and several strains of flu.