Copper Plays a Major Role in Preventing Microbial Infections

Researchers at the University of Southampton have conducted a study to prove that copper prevents the spread of microbial infections.

According to the World Health Organization, the E. coli epidemic in Germany includes a new strain that has never occurred before.

The Director of the Environmental Healthcare Unit and Head of the Microbiology Group at the University of Southampton, Professor Bill Keevil pointed out that analysis on new E. coli strains has been completed and results show that these strains have been destroyed on a copper surface.

The research indicates shows that 10 million E. coli bacteria found on a dry copper surface have been removed in less than 10 min. It is expected that complete elimination of bacteria can be achieved on a wet surface within 45 min.

Food preparation and hand wash are the main areas of concern as they cause cross-contamination. Using copper in food preparation areas will kill bacteria that get deposited over the surface. This decreases cross-contamination risk and prevents the spread of infection.