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Who knew that paint could give germs the brush?

If you’re interested in protecting your family against harmful germs like E. coli, it may be time to grab a paintbrush. That’s because researchers at Rice University and the City College of New York have recently developed a low-cost, environmentally friendly method for infusing common household paints with the nontoxic, antimicrobial virtues of silver nanoparticles. On go the nanoparticles, out go the bad microbes. That’s good news for hospitals and other public buildings that are prone to bacterial growth, a main cause of infection and disease. It’s also good news for home-front health — unless you’re the one who’s been given the brush.