Copper Kills 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:  

cu.microbes@gmail.com.

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.