Can copper metal and alloy surfaces inactivate microbes?
Yes. Extensive experimental studies conducted over the past few years have confirmed that copper and certain copper alloys inactivate pathogenic microbes on contact, both at room and chill temperatures. For example, the Keevil (2000) study and others show that at 20°C (room temperature) E. coli O157 perish completely on copper in just 4 hours. On stainless steel, these toxic bacteria remained viable for 34 days. At 4°C (chill temperature), E.coli O157 are completely inactivated on copper in just 14 hours. On stainless steel, however, the bacteria continue to be viable for several months. The antimicrobial efficacy and rate of inactivation of microbes by contact with copper alloys generally increases with the copper content of the alloy. For example, at room temperature, MRSA are completely eliminated within 1½ hours on a 99% copper alloy and within 3 hours on an 80% copper alloy. They are significantly reduced within 4½ hours on a 55% copper alloy. On stainless steel, however, MRSA are
