Antimicrobial Surfaces

Copper can help reduce infections in our hospitals, schools and public buildings.

Thousands of tests of copper metal and copper alloy samples under highly controlled laboratory conditions have confirmed the ability of copper surfaces to control the growth of bacteria.

Researchers have shown that alloy surfaces containing more than 65% copper will inactivate at least 99% of bacteria coming in contact with the surface within two hours.

Eighty percent of infectious diseases are transmitted by touch. To the naked eye, stainless steel and aluminum surfaces appear to be clean, yet can still harbor deadly microbes. These microbes rarely survive on copper longer than 90 minutes, making copper alloys ideal for use in common touch-surface applications, such as door handles, push plates and hand rails – particularly in health care and educational facilities where concerns over infection are highest.

Copper has proven effective against common disease-causing bacteria such as E.coli, streptococcus and staphylococcus. The common flu virus, Influenza A, has trouble surviving on copper, as does Aspergillus niger, a common mold found in air conditioning systems. It even is effective against more virulent strains of antibiotic resistant bacteria associated with hospital-acquired infections, such as Methicillin-resistant Staphyloccus aureus (MRSA).

The International Copper Association is now working with manufacturers of hospital equipment and hardware to ensure they are fully informed of the benefits of copper touch surfaces. Scientists also continue to test the effectiveness of copper against an increasing number of super bugs, fungi and viruses.

Permission is being sought from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make human health claims for copper alloys used in human contact surfaces. If successful, copper will become the first and only metal to be granted a health claim from the EPA.