INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
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Researchers say the fresh water used to flush the world's toilets each day is
six times Africa's total consumption
Researchers in the US say they have created an ultra-slippery toilet coating that could
help save vast quantities of water around the world
Scientists at Penn State University say the coating cuts the amount of water required to flush excrement by 90%.They say it also prevents
bacteria from building up in toilet bowls and reduces associated odours.The spray, which is more slippery than Teflon, would be affected by
urine and need reapplying after about 50 flushes.Researchers hope that the discovery could help reduce water waste
Every day, more than 141 billion litres of water are used to flush toilets
According to the researchers, who published their findings in the journal Nature Sustainability, the fresh water used to flush the world's
toilets each day is six times Africa's total water consumption."Our team has developed a robust bio-inspired, liquid, sludge- and
bacteria-repellent coating that can essentially make a toilet self-cleaning," Tak-Sing Wong, associate professor of mechanical engineering
at the university, told Penn State News."Poop sticking to the toilet is not only unpleasant to users, but it also presents serious health
"Our goal is to bring impactful technology to the market so everyone can benefit," he added
