EPA* Registered Antimicrobial Copper Alloys Kill Bacteria and Viruses that Cause Infections

Many infections are transmitted by touching contaminated objects, such as the railings shown in the photo on the left.  If frequently-touched surfaces, like railing and doorknobs, were made from copper alloys, they could help reduce the amount of bacteria* and viruses transferred to the hands that touch them because infectious micro-organisms are killed on copper  surfaces.  If you wish to help to  fight the microbes that cause infectious disease in your facility, please send an email to:  

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photo by Anna Dziubinska 

What is the Antimicrobial Copper Action Network?

The Antimicrobial Copper Action Network is a group of individuals with unique expertise in all aspects of antimicrobial copper ranging from laboratory research to component sourcing and installation. 

The Network was formed: 

• to educate and inform about the benefits of antimicrobial copper

• to facilitate the use of antimicrobial copper in the public infrastructure. 

Our goal - to reduce the risk of spreading infectious diseases in public spaces. This is critically important in an era when pandemics - H1N1 influenza, SARS, MERS, and COVID-19 - threaten global health. 

Our target audience is everyone who cares about the spread of infectious disease.

 Healthcare:

• hospital administrators

• physicians, especially hospitalists and infectious disease specialists

• nurses, physicians assistants

• facilities managers and healthcare workers

• operators of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, outpatient clinics and surgical centers

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Commercial and Public Infrastructure Construction:

• public health officials, regulators and other government officials

• public and private building contractors - office building, schools, universities, hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, sports stadiums and arenas

• engineers, interior designers and architects

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Copper Industry:

• manufacturers  of components made from antimicrobial copper

• the copper industry including those involved in mining and refining of copper, copper alloy manufacturers

• industry trade associations

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Food Industry:

• food processing and packaging - to reduces the introduction of disease-causing microbes into foods

• animal husbandry - to reduce the need for antibiotics in animal feed. 

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Your Home:

• doorknobs, cabinet drawer pulls, railings, sink handles, and other frequently touched surfaces

In a recent article entitled "Copper Destroys Viruses and Bacteria" that appeared on March 18, 2020 in the online newsletter VICE, author Shayla Love asks, "Why isn't it everywhere?" (https://bit.ly/3a718e0).  It is a very valid question, particularly in view of the recent COVID-19 pandemic.  The article is an excellent read for anyone interested in a brief look at the story of antimicrobial copper.  It includes a well-researched history of the use of copper for treating disease and infection and provides a smattering of the current research and clinical information presented here in detail. 

Navigating the Menu Bar

The listing below is a guide to navigating the Menu Bar to enable readers to find their desired information quickly.   For readers who want to:

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• Learn the Basics:  Go to Home and Antimicrobial Copper on the main menu bar and their drop-down pages.

• Learn the Science:  Go to the Research on the main menu bar and its drop-down pages.

• Know "Is Copper Right For Me?": Go to Is Copper Right For Me on the main menu bar and its drop-down pages.

• Learn the rigors of working with the EPA:  Go EPA Registration on the main menu bar and its drop-down pages.

• Contact Us:  Go to the Contact Us on the main menu bar and its drop-down pages. This page tells about our consulting services and how to get your project started.  The drop-down pages list the various components that are available and their commercial sources.