Antimicrobial Copper Takes Off
One of Brazil's busiest airports is leading the way
in improving hygiene in public spaces with a new installation of
antimicrobial copper touch surfaces, including handrails and
counters.
6th February 2012
As around 80% of infections are spread by touch, the move is
intended to help protect the health of travellers by reducing the
risk of transferring dangerous germs from touch surfaces to
hands. Copper rapidly kills bacteria, viruses and fungi that
settle on its surface, and the metal confers this antimicrobial
ability on many of its alloys, including brasses, bronzes and
copper-nickels. Its efficacy is proven in healthcare
environments, leading to its installation in hospitals around the
world, and now its applications are being explored more widely.
In December 2011, new parking areas were opened at Congonhas
Airport, handling around 4,000 vehicles and 10,000 people every
day. The opportunity to upgrade handrails, counter tops and
elevator guardrails to antimicrobial copper was seized by the
airport, and microbial testing of the surfaces has already shown a
significant reduction in contamination.
Initial tests on the copper surfaces revealed residual bacterial
contamination levels of less than 10 colony forming units (CFUs)
per cm2. On equivalent surfaces made of stainless
steel, this figure could be as high as 800 CFUs.
In addition to a very modern and striking aesthetic, copper is
continuously reducing the level of contamination - in between
normal cleaning procedures - and helping to reduce the risk of
travellers exchanging infections as they pass through this busy
transport hub.
For more information about copper's antimicrobial properties,
the online product directory and installations from around the
world, visit www.antimicrobialcopper.org.
Download press release (with images) - [70
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For further information and high-res images please contact:
Bryony Samuel
Communications Officer
Copper Development Association
5 Grovelands Business Centre
Boundary Way
Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP2 7TE
Tel: 01442 275705, Fax: 01442 275716
Email: bryony.samuel@copperdev.org.uk
Websites: www.copperinfo.co.uk and www.antimicrobialcopper.org