Abstract: Provided is a germ-repellent polymer structure including a base plastic selected from polypropylene homopolymer, polypropylene impact copolymer, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene; and a hydration layer, the hydration layer including one or more hydrophilic additives formed on the base plastic optionally in the presence of an intermediate plastic that is compatible to both the base plastic and hydrophilic additives for stabilizing the hydration layer on some base plastics. In some embodiment, the introduction of hydration layer to the base plastic through the intermediate plastic imparts germ repellency by introducing sufficient hydroxyl groups onto the surface of the base plastic in order to trap water molecules into a polymer matrix of the base plastic.

Abstract: The present invention provides a germ-repellent elastomer comprising: a base polymer selected from latex, synthetic rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, or copolymers or mixtures thereof; and at least one germ-repelling modifier selected from one or more polyethoxylated non-ionic surfactants such that a highly hydrophilic moiety is imparted from the at least one germ-repelling modifier to the base polymer either by physical or reaction extrusion.