Hospital-Worthy Protection
A recent study at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, has shown that when hospitals switched to copper sink fixtures, toilet seats and push plates, the copper had 95% fewer germs on their surfaces. This study led to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registering copper and its alloys as the first solid materials as antimicrobial.
(www.copperinfo.co.uk/antimicrobial/clinical-trial.shtml)
In early 2008, the EPA registered five groups of copper and copper alloys as antimicrobial, stating that when cleaned regularly, copper alloy surfaces kill more than 99.9% of several bacteria known to be harmful to humans within two hours. The organisms tested included:
- Staphylococcus aureus — also known as golden staph, this is the most common cause of staph infections.
- Escherichia coli O157:H7 — a strain of the bacterium Escherichia coli and a cause of food-borne illnesses.
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) — a "superbug" bacterium responsible for difficult-to-treat infections in humans.
(www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/copper-alloy-products.htm)
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Copper in the Home
Copper and its alloys, brass and bronze are naturally antimicrobial. Switching items that are often touched, and consequently increasing the chance for contamination, to copper, bronze and brass fixtures is a cost-effective way to eliminate household germs while adding to the value of the home.
Copper is already used as an antimicrobial/antifungal ingredient in mouthwashes, toothpastes, and medicines. Use it to fight the same germs and prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen. Simply replace kitchen sink drains and strainers with brass versions. Throughout the house, copper bathtubs, copper sinks, bronze cabinet hardware, and brass push plates will silently fight superbugs without having to add harsh chemicals into the home environment. |
For more information about copper, visit the Copper Development Association at http://www.copper.org/.
The CDA website features articles about current copper trends, national consumption rates, historical facts, scientific data, and much, much more. Search the database for reports on particular issues, or browse through the pages for a variety of information that is both interesting and educational.
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