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starwarsgeek171
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
651 Posts |
 Posted - 12/30/2007 : 09:11:29
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This post is really for the hand sorters, or those that used to hand sort on a fairly large scale. My fingers turn black! It is a greasy dirt that is hard to get off. I do NOT touch my face while sorting, yet can this be good for you? I've read that the patina, etc. can be toxic. It must make you sick (not to mention the regular germs of millions of consumers). Does anyone here have any suggestions for best hand cleaning methods and/or an opinion on toxicity issues?
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starwarsgeek171 |
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Ryedale
Administrator
USA
523 Posts |
Posted - 12/30/2007 : 09:25:35
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| I still get dirty because even when you machine sort, theres always some reason to handle the coins. I agree hand sorting, like when I'm hand sorting for wheats (from copper concentrate etc) your fingertips get very dirty. I use Palmolive antibacterial dish soap. It cuts the coin crud in a few seconds, and is allegedly killing those germs too. |
Ryedale
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"The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place, but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the most tempting moment."
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Epaphras
Penny Collector Member
USA
382 Posts |
Posted - 12/30/2007 : 11:11:42
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| I bought some rubber gloves to use to prevent getting my hands dirty, but the sweat and the rubber mix make my hands stink afterward. So I have discontinued using those and just deal with getting my fingers dirty. I also have tried putting baby oil on my hands during sorting the try to repel some dirt. It helps a little. |
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horgad
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1641 Posts |
Posted - 12/30/2007 : 12:24:23
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Coins are a very hostile environment to germs and other life forms. They provide no food, no water, and a toxic dose of metals. If a piece of food or worse gets stuck to a coin, the germs can find shelter for a while, but they can't hold out for long.
As such I would be way more worried about "fresh" change and especially bills given at a register, than any rolled, boxed, bagged etc coins. that have been sitting around untouched for days, weeks, or even months.
IMHO
Also if you want to make your hands easier to wash and keep them from drying out from too much washing, but don't want to wear gloves, try and find some barrier lotion. The barrier lotion will keep that dirt from getting ground into your skin and will make washing easier. I use it when working with cement, drywall, and other stuff that is hard on the skin. (I hate wearing gloves when working.)
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Disclaimer...not sure if this will mess up the finish on a collectible penny or not. |
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Hirbonzig
Penny Collector Member
USA
451 Posts |
Posted - 12/30/2007 : 13:03:37
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quote:
Originally posted by starwarsgeek171
This post is really for the hand sorters, or those that used to hand sort on a fairly large scale. My fingers turn black! It is a greasy dirt that is hard to get off. I do NOT touch my face while sorting, yet can this be good for you? I've read that the patina, etc. can be toxic. It must make you sick (not to mention the regular germs of millions of consumers). Does anyone here have any suggestions for best hand cleaning methods and/or an opinion on toxicity issues?
I hand sort also and I do get the "black death" all over my hands. I wash with Lava and anti-bac. soap. But I've heard that copper has anti germ properties. The patina may be germ filled,but the coin underneath might be germ free.
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Ardent Listener
Administrator
USA
4841 Posts |
Posted - 12/30/2007 : 13:32:47
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Copper shows antibacterial properties against E. Coli
Originally published 9/14/2000
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A recent study, conducted by Bill Keevil, Ph.D., of the Porton Down, UK-based Center for Applied Microbiology & Research (CAMR), found E. coli O157:H7 bacteria survive for much shorter periods of time on copper and brass surfaces than on stainless steel. According to Keevil, this finding has wide-ranging implications for controlling the microorganism.
The work carried out by CAMR team member, Andrew Maule, revealed that at room temperatures it takes 34 days for E. coli O157:H7 bacteria to die on stainless steel tiles, 4 days to die on brass tiles, and just 4 hours to die on copper tiles. At chill temperatures typical of food storage, the study found that 10% of the bacteria were still alive on stainless steel tiles after 34 days, whereas bacteria were completely eradicated on brass tiles within 12 days and on copper tiles in just 14 hours.
These results prompted the International Copper Association to commission CAMR to further investigate the bactericidal properties of copper, brass, and stainless steel surfaces in various conditions found in the food preparation industry. It was found, for example, that in acidic environments representative of fruit juice processing, E. coli O157:H7 survived for as little as 45 minutes on copper, versus 2 days on stainless steel. And in environments containing animal feces, copper and brass tiles were found to exhibit superior bactericidal effects to stainless steel tiles.
"It may be possible to achieve important public health benefits just by changing the surface material commonly used in food processing," said Keevil. "Stainless steel is the most widely used surface in food preparation, but this material can remain a repository of microbial food contamination for a very long period of time." Since copper-bearing materials have such strong antibacterial properties, the researchers believe that foods most amenable for processing on copper surfaces should be determined in order to reduce E. coli O157:H7 occurrences and outbreaks.
"We now have a preliminary understanding of the bactericidal benefits of copper and brass over stainless steel in combating cross contamination from E. coli O157:H7," said Keevil. "Our findings point to the potential use of copper and other copper alloys, such as copper-nickel, nickel silver and brass, as hygienically beneficial surfaces in the food processing industry."
Plans are under consideration to investigate the antibacterial effect of copper and selected alloys on Salmonella enteritidis PT4, S. typhimurium DT104, Campylobacter jejuni, and other pathogenic microorganisms.
Harold Michels, Ph.D., of the Copper Development Association in the USA hailed the study as a significant stride in putting copper to work combating human health problems. "For centuries, man has used copper and copper alloys to inhibit the growth of harmful microbes," said Michels. "We look forward to practical applications that may spring from this study which would control harmful bacteria, particularly related to food hygiene."
ICA currently seeks partners to conduct further investigations on the potential of copper alloys to reduce the occurrence of microbial cross contamination in the food industry. Interested parties in food processing, food appliances, and related industries are encouraged to contact:
In the U.S.: Harold Michels, CDA, Tel: 212-251-7224. E-mail: hmichels@cda.copper.org. Outside the U.S.: Chris Lee, ICA. Tel: 212-251-7241. E-mail: clee@copper.org
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Think positive. |
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aloneibreak
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
672 Posts |
Posted - 12/30/2007 : 14:53:50
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i just use some orange goop or something with a little grit in it and the black comes right off. ive never tried gloves i just go at it bare skinned. although sometimes after dozens and dozens of those "cup holder" pennies i do feel a little gross.
ive always assumed handling copper to be fairly harmless. now if i was handling this many coins made out of say, lead, id be worried. |
My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.
Thomas Jefferson
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HoardCopperByTheTon
Administrator
USA
6807 Posts |
Posted - 12/30/2007 : 16:52:06
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| Just sort new shiny 2007 zincers and your hands will be fine. But what fun would that be? Lava soap works great for the penny grit. You could also try those disposable white cotton gloves. When my hands are all black like that I know I have been having fun! |
If your percentages are low.. just sort more. If your percentages are high.. just sort more.
Now selling Copper pennies. 1.6x plus shipping. Limited amounts available. |
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starwarsgeek171
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
651 Posts |
Posted - 12/30/2007 : 18:43:47
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Great responses with a few ideas I may try...except one. Sorting ALL zincers (those stinkers) would be like serving time in pergatory! No thanks (I know you were kidding). I'm just concerned that if you were to let that black stuff stay on your hands too long, that you would eventually absorb some bad things into your blood stream. I tend to be a bit paranoid, so I'll consider the research presented by Listener and horgad's common-sense opinions. A little "Black Death" won't stop me from sorting!
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HoardCopperByTheTon
Administrator
USA
6807 Posts |
Posted - 12/30/2007 : 22:15:04
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| I think it's too late for me. I already have copper in my blood. |
If your percentages are low.. just sort more. If your percentages are high.. just sort more.
Now selling Copper pennies. 1.6x plus shipping. Limited amounts available. |
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snappy
Penny Collector Member
USA
301 Posts |
Posted - 12/30/2007 : 23:14:00
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| Many old timers believe that copper helps control arthritis you can buy copper braclets for this (I have seen cents welded together and worn). And zinc is in cold medicine. so maybe sorting cents is healthy... |
Selling Ryedale sorted USA cents
1.5 each + shipping over 500fv 1.5 each +1/2 shipping
If you pick up 1.35 each
located MT/ND boarder.
after Ryedale sorting they are hand sorted to remove canadian then rechecked with Ryedale to insure all copper and count out $50 FV then placed in cloth bags and sealed with #1 copper wire. |
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HoardCopperByTheTon
Administrator
USA
6807 Posts |
Posted - 12/31/2007 : 08:08:04
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| I have a couple of those copper bracelets. I don't believe any of it, but I was thinking about making a few with some the spare copper pennies I have laying around. |
If your percentages are low.. just sort more. If your percentages are high.. just sort more.
Now selling Copper pennies. 1.6x plus shipping. Limited amounts available. |
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El Dee
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
547 Posts |
Posted - 12/31/2007 : 09:07:08
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Use the hand cleaner stuff auto mechanics use: Goop, GoJo
An office supply should have those little rubber thimbles that fit over your index finger. That will do the most good. |
Trust the government? Ask an Indian. |
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cyberdan
Penny Collector Member
USA
289 Posts |
Posted - 12/31/2007 : 12:22:59
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| I actually think I am allergic to copper. I also do metal detecting and sometimes when I have a ton of cents to take to the bank I will tumble them to make them presentable. After tumbling with aquarium gravel I need to seperate the two so I pour all in a big bowl, rinse with water and pull out the coppers. I don't use gloves so after pulling out about half a batch I start feeling sick. About 20 min after I finish I feel fine again. This has happened many times. When I sort cents the only problem I have is my fingers get black. |
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fiatboy
Administrator
912 Posts |
Posted - 12/31/2007 : 12:43:30
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This is a good thread! I'm not too picky about what soap I use, but I've had good experiences with lava and goop. For really dirty fingers or non-numismatic coins, Joy dish washing soap works great, and if possible, I use distilled water.
But the penny pincher in me still prefers what I can get on the cheap. Right now, I'm still going through all the soap bars I nicked from my stays in hotel rooms over the past few years. One time I saw the maid pushing the little cleaning cart down the hall and asked her outright how many soaps she could spare. She gave me a small box full---about 40 soaps total. I know, I know, I'm a cheapskate, but that's money I could use to buy pennies. Now I just need to learn how to make my own soap... |
"Bart, it's not about how many stocks you have, it's about how much copper wire you can get out of the building." --- Homer Simpson |
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aloneibreak
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
672 Posts |
Posted - 12/31/2007 : 18:04:11
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saw this article today on kitco. just about the germ resistence of copper.
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My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.
Thomas Jefferson
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starwarsgeek171
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
651 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2008 : 08:38:33
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| fiatboy, I'd bet we all would've taken the free soap. Don't feel bad at all. Hoarding soap isn't such a bad idea either! Always in need, and saving money by not buying soap at future prices. C'mon, who here doesn't take the extra forks, napkins, etc... I'd bet that's a fairly common trait amongst those that would devote a large portion of their lives to "penny pinching." Unless you're Bill Gates or something, a penny is always worth picking up (if only as a test of humility). |
starwarsgeek171 |
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HoardCopperByTheTon
Administrator
USA
6807 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2008 : 10:09:29
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| Penny Pincher here too. Yep, that Free soap works just fine for me. I figure I paid for it when I rented the room, and by dang it I'm a gonna use it.. even if I have to cart it home to do so. |
If your percentages are low.. just sort more. If your percentages are high.. just sort more.
Now selling Copper pennies. 1.6x plus shipping. Limited amounts available. |
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fiatboy
Administrator
912 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2008 : 11:59:45
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quote:
C'mon, who here doesn't take the extra forks, napkins, etc...
hahaha....too true....I haven't had to use (and thus wash) one of my metal forks in months.  |
"Bart, it's not about how many stocks you have, it's about how much copper wire you can get out of the building." --- Homer Simpson |
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Cody8404
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
602 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2008 : 12:23:48
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It really shouldn't matter which soap is used as long as you wash your mits, soap and warm not hot water, before you eat or touch any other part of your body, or someone else.
Simple hand washing before you eat or touch your face etc will also cut down on colds, flu, and other diseases. Copper, Gold and Silver all have antibiotic properties. |
Awake, O kings of the earth! Come ye, O, come ye, with your gold and your silver, to the help of my people, to the house of the daughters of Zion, to the help of the people of the God of this Land even Jesus Christ. |
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Dirty Fingers!
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