Proof
Over 600,000 peer-reviewed papers have been published in English on the antimicrobial properties of copper. The number reaches two million when including Spanish, German, and French academic publications. We present excerpts of a few key articles and studies below:
Studies on Our Technology
A recent study by the University of Southampton compared the lifetime of SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA on grade 316 stainless steel, which is commonly used in medical devices and the food industry, against a copper-covered counterpart.
550 viral particles per cm2 is the equivalent of a standard hand-transfer of COVID-19, and 5500 viral particles per cm2 is the equivalent of a droplet of moisture, akin to a sneeze or cough on the surface, containing COVID-19.
The results show that Copper Cover’s technology completely eliminates the SARS-CoV-2 virus in under one minute for ordinary particles transmitted by touch, and in under ten minutes for particularly significant virus loads. This is in sharp contrast to stainless steel and plastic surfaces where the virus can survive for up to 3 days.
Laboratory Research
MRSA
Aim: The researchers compared silver, copper, and steel, and their effects on MRSA.
Results: 99.9% of MRSA was killed in 75 minutes on 99.9% copper, but MRSA was hardly affected after 6 hours on stainless steel and silver.
MRSA Facts:
Resistant to several widely used antibiotics
Spread by the hands and surfaces
Major cause of healthcare-associated infections
Researchers have found MRSA cases increasing the US since COVID - Known to survive for up to 7 months on surfaces
Michels, H.T., Noyce, J.O. and Keevil, C.W., 2009.
Effects of temperature and humidity on the efficacy of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus challenged antimicrobial materials containing silver and copper.
Letters in applied microbiology, 49(2), pp.191-195.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-765X.2009.02637.x
MRSA Viability at ~22C and ~50% RH on C11000 copper (●), two silver-ion containing materials, Ag-A (∆), and Ag-B (◊) and S30400 stainless steel (□). CFU means colony forming unit of bacteria. The line on the graph sloping downwards shows that bacteria is being killed.
Human coronavirus 229E
Aim: The researchers compared copper, steel and zinc and their effects on human coronavirus 229E.
Results: The graph below shows that 99.9% of the virus was inactivated in c. 20 minutes on 95% copper, but was hardly affected after 2 hours on stainless steel and zinc.
Human coronavirus 229E Facts:
A respiratory coronavirus, which is responsible for illnesses from the common cold to pneumonia and bronchiolitis
Surface contamination is significant
Some cleaning products do not completely eradicate the virus which can then infect people
Warnes, S.L., Little, Z.R. and Keevil, C.W., 2015.
Human coronavirus 229E remains infectious on common touch surface materials.
MBio, 6(6), pp.e01697-15.
https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.01697-15
PFU means plaque forming unit. The researchers used this to see how long the virus would survive in the lab on the different materials. The line on the graph sloping downwards shows that the virus is being inactivated (i.e. destroyed).
Norovirus
Aim: The researchers compared copper, steel and nickel and their effects on norovirus MNV-1.
Results: The graph shows that 99.9% of the virus was inactivated in c. 30 minutes on 100% copper, but was hardly affected after 2 hours on stainless steel and nickel.
Norovirus Facts:
Noroviruses are responsible for about half of all cases of gastroenteritis globally
Some cleaning products do not completely eradicate the virus which can then infect people
Warnes, S.L., Summersgill, E.N. and Keevil, C.W., 2015.
Inactivation of murine norovirus on a range of copper alloy surfaces is accompanied by loss of capsid integrity.
Applied and environmental microbiology, 81(3), pp.1085-1091.
https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.03280-14
PFU means plaque forming unit. The researchers used this to see how long the virus would survive in the lab on the different materials. The line on the graph sloping downwards shows that the virus is being inactivated (i.e. destroyed).
VRE
Aim: The researchers compared copper and steel and zinc and their effects on vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE).
Results: The graph below shows that 99.9% of VRE was killed in 15 minutes on copper, but was still viable after 24 hours on stainless steel.
VRE Facts:
Responsible for many hospital-acquired infections
Surface contamination is significant
Some cleaning products do not completely eradicate the virus which can then infect people and alcohol disinfectants <60% alcohol have been shown to be ineffective
Known to survive for up to 4 months on surfaces
Im Choi, S., Chang, M.S., Kim, T., Chung, K.H., Bae, S., Kim, S.H., Yoon, C.J., Kim, Y.K. and Woo, J.H., 2021.
Evaluation of copper alloys for reducing infection by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecium in intensive care unit and in vitro.
The Korean journal of internal medicine, 36(5), p.1204.
https://dx.doi.org/10.3904%2Fkjim.2020.643
The line on the graph sloping down shows the bacteria colonies being killed.
Wider Implications and Other Articles
In a study in London hospitals with Covid-19 patients, SARS-COV-2 RNA was detected on 64% of surfaces swabbed in the vicinity of infected patients, and on 45% of surfaces swabbed in public areas, despite regular disinfection regimes in place.
Contamination of commonly touched surfaces is an important factor to consider, and well known culprit for transmission of not only SARS-COV-2 (COVID 19), but many other bacteria and viruses as well. Therefore, even when the Covid-19 epidemic becomes less critical, Copper Cover will still bring valuable benefits for the control of other viral and bacterial infections (including but not limited to, MRSA, C. difficile, and viruses causing influenza, other respiratory illnesses, diarrhoea and vomiting).
We are also very aware that the SARS COV-2 virus is mutating constantly, therefore it's safe to assume that new viruses will emerge in the future, Copper Cover thus remains an invaluable tool to ensure higher public health standards for us all.
American Society for Microbiology
“Despite cleaning efforts of environmental service teams and substantial compliance with hand hygiene best practices, the microbial burden in patient care settings often exceeds concentrations at which transfer to patients represents a substantial acquisition risk for health care-associated infections (HAIs). Approaches to limit HAI risk have relied on designing health care equipment and furnishings that are easier to clean and/or the use of no-touch disinfection interventions such as germicidal UV irradiation or vapor deposition of hydrogen peroxide. In a clinical trial evaluating the largest fomite in the patient care setting, the bed, a bed was encapsulated with continuously disinfecting antimicrobial copper surfaces, which reduced the bacteria on surfaces by 94% and sustained the microbial burden below the terminal cleaning and disinfection risk threshold throughout the patient’s stay.”
HealthManagement
“Antimicrobial Copper Touch Surfaces: Reduce Infections, Liberate Resources and Cut Costs”
“Numerous trials have since been conducted in different healthcare systems — including the U.S., germany and Finland — and different clinical environments such as nephrology, geriatric and ICU wards. They have similarly reported significant and continuous bioburden reduction, with trial leaders concluding that antimicrobial copper surfaces can provide an additional measure to reduce the spread of HCAIs.”
Centre Hospitalier de Rambouillet
“The Centre Hospitalier de Rambouillet located near Paris is the first hospital in France to install antimicrobial copper touch surfaces to lower the risk of healthcare-associated infections.”
Emergency Care Research Institute (ECRI)
“Antimicrobial copper surfaces used in healthcare settings include surface components made from copper alloys and hard surface materials infused with copper oxides, both of which exert antimicrobial activity by releasing copper ions at concentrations toxic to microorganisms. Antimicrobial copper surfaces are meant to supplement standard cleaning procedures to reduce hospital acquired infection risk. Their intended benefits include sustained antimicrobial effects independent of human compliance, wear resistance, environmental friendliness and recyclability, and a low risk of adverse events from copper exposure.”
Canadian Agency for Drugs & Technologies in Health (CADTH)
“Antimicrobial copper surfaces have been shown to have intrinsic and continuous broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity that is expected to remain in effect for the product’s lifetime.”
Hospital Healthcare Europe
“Copper touch surfaces in the clinical setting effectively reduce infection rates and save lives.”