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. 

February 6th, 2012

Around 80% of infections are spread by touch, the installation of Antimicrobial Copper components is intended to help protect the airport's travelers by reducing the bacteria that resides on commonly touched surfaces.  Antimicrobial Copper rapidly kills bacteria that settle on its surface. This property is inherant to both copper and alloys which contain at least 60% copper by weight, such as brasses, bronzes and copper-nickels.  Antimicrobial Copper's efficacy has been 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, Antimicrobial 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, please click here.

As of recent months, manufactuters have completed all EPA requirements to legally sell Antimicrobial Products in the US.  To view a list of these companies, please click here.

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