Online resources

Why Antimicrobial Copper?

Healthcare-Associated Infections (HCAIs) place a significant socioeconomic burden on people from all regions of the world. In the UK, 300,000 people acquire infections in hospitals each year resulting in nearly 5,000 deaths. In addition to the immeasurable personal costs, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates the direct cost of HCAIs to be £1 billion per year.

These infections are caused by microbes that thrive on objects we touch every day. Antibiotic-resistant organisms have spread from the healthcare environment to schools, homes and mass transit. Despite aggressive hand washing campaigns and routine cleaning, infection rates remain unacceptably high and more needs to be done….
(Read the entire article online, source Antimicrobial Copper)

The Biological Importance of Copper

Some of the uses of copper come from its ability to control the growth of organisms. This occurs when copper is biologically available and at concentrations that are detrimental. As a result, copper is used in a range of cidal agents. For example, copper has been demonstrated to be an effective antibacterial, antiplaque agent in mouthwashes and toothpastes.

Copper also continues to be widely used for the control of unwanted organisms in fish farming. Evidence in both fresh water and salt water indicates no hazardous effect to consumers of the fish. Copper antifouling agents used on fish net pens have been considered a source of metal to the sediments but there is little evidence that they provide an important source of dissolved copper when there is adequate water exchange for fish farming…
(Read the entire article online, source Copper Development Association Inc.)

Antimicrobial copper-alloy touch surfaces

Antimicrobial copper alloy touch surfaces are surfaces that are made from alloys of the metal copper, such as brass and bronze. The phrase “touch surfaces” means all the various kinds of surfaces (such as door knobs, railings, tray tables, etc.) that are often touched by people at work or in everyday life, especially (for example) in hospitals and clinics. Touch surfaces that are in frequent use and that are not made with copper alloys can easily accumulate a variety of harmful microbes (viruses, bacteria, etc.).

These microbes can often survive on touch surfaces for surprisingly long periods of time (e.g., for more than 30 days on some popular materials). However, copper and copper alloys have a natural ability to kill harmful microbes relatively rapidly – often within two hours or less (i.e. copper alloy surfaces are antimicrobial). This natural ability of copper alloys to kill a wide range of microbes deposited on the alloys’ surfaces has been proven by an extensive body of research. The research also suggests that if touch surfaces are made with copper alloys, the reduced or totally destroyed microbial populations on the antimicrobial alloys may ultimately reduce the incidence of transmission of disease-causing organisms…
(Read the entire article online, source Wikipedia)

The Science behind Antimicrobial Copper

The mechanism by which Antimicrobial Copper kills bacteria is a complex by nature, but the effect is simple.

Science suggests that Antimicrobial Copper kills bacteria with a multifaceted attack. The questions and answers below summarize active and ongoing research seeking to explain how Antimicrobial Copper is the most effective touch surface.

How does copper affect bacteria?

Science suggests that copper surfaces affect bacteria in two sequential steps: the first step is a direct interaction between the surface and the bacterial outer membrane, causing the membrane to rupture. The second is related to the holes in the outer membrane, through which the cell loses vital nutrients and water, causing a general weakening of the cell…
(Read the entire article online, source Antimicrobial Copper)