| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
n/a
deleted
85 Posts |
 Posted - 04/15/2008 : 18:39:22
|
EPA Approves Copper Antimicrobial Alloys --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. EPA Approves Registration of Antimicrobial Copper Alloys
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 25, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Copper, brass and bronze kill pathogens—including “superbug” MRSA—responsible for hospital- and community-acquired infections.
NEW YORK—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the registration of antimicrobial copper alloys, with public health claims. These public health claims acknowledge that copper, brass and bronze are capable of killing harmful, potentially deadly bacteria. Copper is the first solid surface material to receive this type of EPA registration, which is supported by extensive antimicrobial efficacy testing.
The EPA registration is based on independent laboratory testing using EPA-prescribed protocols that demonstrate the metals' ability to kill specific disease-causing bacteria, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA is one of the most virulent strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and a common cause of hospital- and community-acquired infections.
Testing under EPA-approved protocols demonstrates that copper, brasses and bronzes are effective against a number of disease-causing bacteria. For example, one study shows that on copper alloy surfaces, greater than 99.9% of MRSA "superbugs" are killed within two hours at room temperature.
The following statements are included in the registration: "When cleaned regularly, antimicrobial copper alloys surfaces kill greater than 99.9% of (specific) bacteria within two hours, and continue to kill more than 99% of (these) bacteria even after repeated contamination," and "The use of a copper alloy surface is a supplement to and not a substitute for standard infection control practices; users must continue to follow all current infection control practices, including those practices related to cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces. The copper alloy surface material has been shown to reduce microbial contamination, but it does not necessarily prevent cross contamination."
Widely publicized statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate infections acquired in U.S. hospitals affect two million individuals every year and result in nearly 100,000 deaths annually. The use of copper alloys for frequently touched surfaces, as a supplement to existing CDC-prescribed hand-washing and disinfection regimens, has far-reaching implications. Potential uses, that include door and furniture hardware, bed rails, intravenous (IV) stands, dispensers, faucets, sinks and work stations, can help reduce the amount of disease-causing bacteria in patient rooms.
Unlike coatings or other materials treatments, the antibacterial efficacy of copper metals won't wear away: they can offer solid, long-term protection. Discussions are ongoing with major hospital equipment manufacturers about the development of appropriate copper-based products. For additional information about antimicrobial copper, please visit You must be logged in to see this link.
###
The Copper Development Association is the information, education, market and technical development arm of the copper, brass and bronze industries in the USA.
You must be logged in to see this link.
|
"The key to building wealth is to not lose money." - Warren Buffet |
|
|
WilliamC
Penny Collector Member
USA
471 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2008 : 16:23:47
|
Anything to increase the demand is good, yes?
Part of the reason that copper pipes are so good for water is that they are resistant to the growth of biofilms caused by bacteria, whereas PVC pipes are much less so.
See You must be logged in to see this link.
"Survival and growth of Legionella pneumophila in both biofilm and planktonic phases were determined with a two-stage model system. The model used filter-sterilized tap water as the sole source of nutrient to culture a naturally occurring mixed population of microorganisms including virulent L. pneumophila. At 20 degrees C, L. pneumophila accounted for a low proportion of biofilm flora on polybutylene and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, but was absent from copper surfaces. The pathogen was most abundant on biofilms on plastics at 40 degrees C, where it accounted for up to 50% of the total biofilm flora. Copper surfaces were inhibitory to total biofouling and included only low numbers of L. pneumophila organisms. The pathogen was able to survive in biofilms on the surface of the plastic materials at 50 degrees C, but was absent from the copper surfaces at the same temperature. L. pneumophila could not be detected in the model system at 60 degrees C. In the presence of copper surfaces, biofilms forming on adjacent control glass surfaces were found to incorporate copper ions which subsequently inhibited colonization of their surfaces. This work suggests that the use of copper tubing in water systems may help to limit the colonization of water systems by L. pneumophila.["
Even though it's more expensive, I'd much rather pay to have copper pipes in my house rather than the plastic pipes that are more common these days.
So long as someone doesn't crawl under the house and steal them that is. |
Sorting In Northwest Mississippi |
Edited by - WilliamC on 04/17/2008 16:25:22 |
 |
|
|
Tourney64
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1035 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2008 : 11:51:51
|
| I had heard that silver had some of these same antibacterial properties. Obviously copper is less expensive right now. |
|
|
|
n/a
deleted
9 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2008 : 02:14:45
|
You are correct about the santimicrobial properties of certain silver compounds. "Silvadene" is used to treat burns.
Silver sulfadiazine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Silver sulfadiazine is a sulfa derivative topical antibacterial used primarily as a topical burn cream on second- and third-degree burns. The cream is kept applied to the burned skin at all times, for the duration of the healing period or until a graft is applied. It prevents the growth of a wide array of bacteria, as well as yeast, on the damaged skin. Silver sulfadiazine is typically delivered in a 1% solution suspended in a water-soluble base. The chemical itself is poorly soluble, and has only very limited penetration through the skin. Only when applied to very large area burns is absorption into the body generally a problem.
It is also helpful on other shallow, large-area wounds such as abrasions.
Well-known proprietary brand names are Silvadene and Flamazine. The medication is also marketed under Kendall as Thermazene, with the aforementioned silvadene still functioning as a genericized trademark.
|
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
EPA Approves Copper Antimicrobial Alloys
Forum Locked
