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Congress Funds Testing of Copper's Potential to Kill Harmful Pathogens
In 2005, the U.S. Congress began appropriating funds for two programs studying the antimicrobial properties of copper alloys. The first study relates to touch surfaces found in healthcare facilities which are a potential means of cross-contamination. The objective is to measure the reduction of pathogens in those environments and ultimately investigate the potential to reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). The second trial relates to indoor air quality and the potential for copper-based components in heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems to kill harmful microbes, including molds and harmful bacteria.
Following detailed planning and review, two programs were launched in 2007 under the auspices of the Telemedicine and Advanced Technologies Research Center (TATRC), a section of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC), which manages Congressional Special Interest extramural research programs encompassing technology research areas https://mrmc.amedd.army.mil/crpindex.asp.
The study proposals were initiated by the Copper Development Association. The Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) of Charleston, South Carolina, directs the program on behalf of TATRC/USAMRMC.
Primary partners in the touch surface study include: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York City; Medical University of South Carolina and Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, both located in Charleston, South Carolina.
The principal investigator for both studies is Dr. Harold T. Michels, senior vice president, Technology and Technical Services, Copper Development Association.
This program is supported by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command under Contract Nos. W81XWH-07-C-0053.
Note: Laboratory testing shows that, when cleaned regularly, antimicrobial copper alloys kill greater than 99.9% of the following bacteria within 2 hours of exposure: MRSA, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and E. coli O157:H7. Antimicrobial Copper surfaces are a supplement to and not a substitute for standard infection control practices and have been shown to reduce microbial contamination, but do not necessarily prevent cross contamination or infection; users must continue to follow all current infection control practices.
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