Copper Kills Hospital Bacteria

Copper may be a solution to the growing, deadly problem of hospital acquired infections. When used on commonly touched surfaces, the metal can kill some of the most infectious bacteria without scrubbing or the use of noxious chemicals. Trace looks at how copper might transform medical care for years to come.

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"Study finds copper reduces 58 percent of healthcare-acquired infections"

"New research has revealed that the use of Antimicrobial Copper surfaces in hospital rooms can reduce the number of healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) by 58% as compared to patients treated in Intensive Care Units with non-copper touch surfaces."

"Insect wings shred bacteria to pieces"

"The veined wing of the clanger cicada kills bacteria solely through its physical structure — one of the first natural surfaces found to do so."

"Researchers find cicada wing structure able to kill bacteria on contact (w/ video)"

"A combined team of researchers from Spain and Australia has discovered what they claim is the first known instance of a biomaterial that can kill bacteria on contact based only its physical surface structure."

Estimating Health Care-Associated Infections and Deaths in U.S. Hospitals, 2002"

"The purpose of this study was to provide a national estimate of the
number of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) and deaths in United States
hospitals."

"Bacterial Killing by Dry Metallic Copper Surfaces"

"Metallic copper surfaces rapidly and efficiently kill bacteria. Cells exposed to copper surfaces accumulated large amounts of copper ions, and this copper uptake was faster from dry copper than from moist copper."

"How copper kills flesh-eating bacteria"

"Recently scientists staged a demonstration in which flesh-eating bacteria died off in droves when placed on a copper surface."

"Graphene-polymer nanocomposite kills bacteria on surfaces"

"Graphene can kill bacteria and prevent the formation of pathogenic and corrosive microorganisms, which makes it a potential candidate for antimicrobial coatings for surgical equipment other surfaces in various settings."

"Biophysical Model of Bacterial Cell Interactions with Nanopatterned Cicada Wing Surfaces"

"The nanopattern on the surface of Clanger cicada (Psaltoda claripennis) wings represents the first example of a new class of biomaterials that can kill bacteria on contact based solely on their physical surface structure."

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[aaronwest]

Does that mean that 90% copper pennies have little to no germs?

[natureandhappiness]

Good information! Unfortunately, many people have not heard about copper's antibacterial property today.

[Pinballers]

I think Silver also kills bugs as well?

[alexander]

well copper is really expensive so I would just do like door handles and light switches things that are touched alot

[heyy]

The issue with this is alot of people have sensitivities to copper. Other then the obvious skin reactions and skin discolourations it can cause people to be nautious or break out in urdicaria. :\ *works in a jewellery workshop where the beginners learn on copper and has known afew people with these issues*

[Seeker]

BAM! So glad someone got the reference. Dusty and Andy win. -- Trace

[OldSkoolASMR]

So....I can fill my mouth with pennies, contrary to popular belief.

[chaconfc]

Expensive proposition along with the shortages for using copper

[brasswater]

You'd have to consider how insanely expensive an entire hospital would be to line with sheets of copper.

[ImagineMedia]

Very true. CBC has more than one show on the lack of sanitation in hospitals.

[MogofWar]

A change in their nature of that magnitude would be as massive as the conversion from anaerobic to aerobic respiration, or the step from single-cell to multi-cell.

[TheTopLogician]

Well, an alloy wouldn't just look better, it would also reduce the amount of copper needed to coat the surface. Pure copper is expensive. You could combine copper with a hardening metal to make it less prone to scratching.

[trickydicky]

Or you could use brass to make it look cooler.

[Chronos]

Copper is getting very scarce, while its uses in industrial processes increases, so I imagine that alternatives will be needed- a more abundant metal that functions in the same way, or form a synthetic alternative. If it is the conductive properties of copper that make it well suited, it would be interesting to see how silver or aluminium might fair. Also, the conductivity of metals can be altered using electricity, so running a low level current through cheaper metals might be the way to go.

[-ThatMichaelGuy]

Zinc has antibacterial properties as well. Mix zinc and copper for brass, but zinc alone is less expensive.

[ninjaskater]

covering your house with copper probably wouldn't be cost effective, however making things like doorknobs and other prevalent vectors out of it might be more efficient

[kayvee]

Now: Obviously it wouldn't be cost effective. But what about silver? How does it compare to copper in regard to killing off nasty things?

[UnlikelyZebra]

Plate all the surfaces with copper, it would be super cheap and thick enough to last for a reasonably long time.

[PunjabiJatt]

This may seem interestingly cool to fight off P aeruginosa, but what are the negative onsets of using cooper as the building blocks of hospitals?

[xvx]

Wait, how much does copper cost? I might just do this (metal surfaces in my house with copper) if it isn't too expensive.