These are additives in the ceramic glaze of toilets and tiles that the companies claim have some antibacterial action.
Based on product declarations and patents, I would assume that microbial technologies in ceramic on toilets includes nanosilver, titanium dioxide additive, or zinc oxide.
In the case of CeFIONtect, they also claim that the glaze is smoother, making it physically more difficult for bacteria to make a home in microscopic crevices.
Toto the company that makes CeFIONtect antimicrobial toilet coatings holds a patent for a titanium dioxide additive to ceramic.
Titanium dioxide and UV light create a photocatalytic reaction, like those found in PCO and PECO air purifiers. This can kill bacteria.
Titanium dioxide and nanosilver ions can also be found added to ceramic tiles as well.
Microban holds a patent for the following antibacterial ceramic additives: Bi2O3 – Bismuth oxide, ZnO – Zinc oxide, and
Ag2CO3 – Silver carbonate.
Both of these technologies could be advertised as natural, non-toxic, antibacterial, and ionic.
Ideal Standard International BVBA holds patents for zinc oxide in ceramic toilets.
However, there could be more going on than this, as one commenter noticed a smell (and porcelain toilets don’t normally have a smell).
So we can’t be sure that these are the additives.
American Standard’s EverClean® Surface used to be listed as silver-based, but they no longer list what this is.
Some toilets can also contain PFAS (though this is not an anti-microbial element). There are a number of patents for PFAS used in ceramics and toilets to give them stain-release properties, preventing soils (hard-water deposits, organic residues) from bonding to the glaze.
Debbie
Does anyone know if the Toto Drake Toilet with CeFiONtect is hazardous to septic systems? I can’t find any information on this toilet and would like to know before I buy.
Thanks!
Brigid
DO you have any toilet recommendations for the mold and chemically sensitive, Corinne?
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
ideally without unknown additives
Kate dePalma ledbetter
I find that my American Standard toilet with everclean coating has a chemical smell! Anyone know why?
Thanks!
Kate
Corinne
Even after wiping it down fully?
Torre
Hi, I was searching for some information as we are replacing a toilet – on a rush as friend/owner of house decided to replace the toilet for other reasons while plumber would be out vs. just replacing the wax ring. Plumber recommended American Standard Pro line of Toto Drake line.
I found this information regarding the Everclean within the linked article:
“What Is EverClean Surface and How Does It Work?
EverClean is an EPA-registered antimicrobial agent permanently bonded into the surface of American Standard vitreous china during the kiln-firing stage. It inhibits the growth of stain and odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew by disrupting microbial cell membranes on contact, reducing the population of surface microbes between cleanings rather than eliminating the need to clean altogether.”
Even if EverClean did not bother me, I did not want to be supporting this. I do not feel like it is really necessary.
We have a very old Toto in another bathroom so are sticking with that. However, they now have the CEFIONTECT (copyright) ceramic glaze – do not know if that was the case many years ago. The tech support rep told me it is baked in with the glaze during the kilning process – something along the lines of the information I could find. Regarding the toilet seat – many have an antimicrobial “coating” too and I could not get an answer on that today (9/2/2026). The tech support rep sent my questions over to the right dept for that – I’ll get an answer later but at least I will know by then if it will bother me.
Link to article I found re Everclean: https://bestflushingtoilets.com/brands/american-standard-everclean-glaze/
Torre
Ariel Chynsky
Would the Cefiontect coating pose a problem for someone with mcs who is very sensitive? I noticed there is a prop 65 warning on the Toto drake toilet because of lead I think due to the coating. Do you have any recommendations?
Corinne
No problem with titanium dioxide coatings, it’s no different than the paint on the walls which also has a lot of titanium dioxide. nano silver should be fine as well, it’s like colloidal silver. Lead won’t have any route to enter the body.
Molly
I need to buy toilets. Any recommended brands? Are totos safe in your opinion?
Thanks!
Corinne Segura
since we dont know what is in the coatings and one person said it has a smell i would go with a brand that does not use any coatings, if you are chemically sensitive.