Research
“Metallic Copper as an Antimicrobial Surface”
“Bacteria, yeasts, and viruses are rapidly killed on metallic copper surfaces, and the term ‘contact killing’ has been coined for this process. While the phenomenon was already known in ancient times, it is currently receiving renewed attention. This is due to the potential use of copper as an antibacterial material in health care settings. Contact killing was observed to take place at a rate of at least 7 to 8 logs per hour, and no live microorganisms were generally recovered from copper surfaces after prolonged incubation. The antimicrobial activity of copper and copper alloys is now well established, and copper has recently been registered at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the first solid antimicrobial material. ”
- American Society of Microbiology
“Copper’s Virus-Killing Powers Were Known Even to the Ancients”
“When a microbe lands on copper, ions blast the pathogen like an onslaught of missiles, preventing cell respiration and punching holes in the cell membrane or viral coating and creating free radicals that accelerate the kill, especially on dry surfaces. Most importantly, the ions seek and destroy the DNA and RNA inside a bacteria or virus, preventing the mutations that create drug-resistant superbugs. ‘The properties never wear off, even if it tarnishes,’ Schmidt says.”
- Jim Morrison, Smithsonian Magazine
“Using copper to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses”
“Copper can effectively help to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, which are linked to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), new research shows. Animal coronaviruses that 'host jump' to humans, such as SARS and MERS, result in severe infections with high mortality. Researchers found that a closely-related human coronavirus - 229E - can remain infectious on common surface materials for several days, but is rapidly destroyed on copper.”
- Science Daily
“Copper Destroys Viruses and Bacteria. Why Isn’t It Everywhere?”
“Many of the microbes that make us sick can live on hard surfaces for up to four or five days. When we touch those surfaces, the microbes can make it into our bodies through our nose, mouth, or eyes, and infect us.
On copper surfaces, bacteria and viruses die. When a microbe lands on a copper surface, the copper releases ions, which are electrically charged particles. Those copper ions blast through the outer membranes and destroy the whole cell, including the DNA or RNA inside. Because their DNA and RNA are destroyed, it also means a bacteria or virus can’t mutate and become resistant to the copper, or pass on genes (like for antibiotic resistance) to other microbes.”
- Vice Media
“Does copper kill germs?”
“While you may think that antiseptic wipes or sprays are necessary to kill germs, there's actually a metal that kills germs on contact — no cleaning supplies necessary. Believe it or not, the use of copper for health purposes dates all the way back to Ancient Egypt, and scientists today are still learning about the amazing benefits of copper. Here's what you need to know.”
- Ashley Laderer, Insider
*Antimicrobial copper surfaces are a supplement to and not a substitute for hand washing or standard hygiene control practices. Copper has been shown to reduce microbial contamination, but does not necessarily prevent cross contamination or infections. Users must continue to follow all proper hygiene practices and current infection control practices set forth by the CDC.
*This product is not proven to prevent the spread of COVID-19 specifically and makes no claims or assertions regarding the efficacy of these products against COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus, novel coronavirus, etc. For further information visit the Copper Development Association’s Coronavirus website at www.copper.org.
*The content on this website is intended for educational and informational purposes only. This product is not intended to be used as a medical device.