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Copper Surfaces Eliminate MRSA, According to Study Sponsored By Copper Development Association; Deadly Pathogen Survives on Stainless Steel, but Not on Copper

Posted on: Tuesday, 12 September 2006, 12:00 CDT

Scientists at the University of Southampton in the U.K. have found that Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) cannot survive on pure copper surfaces for more than 45 minutes. MRSA is an infectious bacterium that responds to only the strongest antibiotics and is a cause of often-fatal hospital infections in both the U.K. and the United States. The study, published in the July 2006 issue of the Journal of Hospital Infection, assesses the ability of copper and brass to eradicate strains of MRSA compared with that of stainless steel, which is commonly used for work and touch surfaces in healthcare facilities.

The Southampton study compared survival rates of three strains of MRSA on pure copper, brass and stainless steel. Tests were conducted at room temperature (22 degrees C, 71.6 degrees F) and refrigeration temperature (4 degrees C, 39.2 degrees F).

On pure copper MRSA, epidemic EMRSA-1 and EMRSA-16 were completely killed after 45, 60 and 90 minutes, respectively, at room temperature. On brass, which is 80 percent copper, all three strains were drastically reduced in three hours, and MRSA and EMRSA-1 were dead in 4.5 hours. The bacteria on the stainless steel surface remained viable after 3 days at room temperature. (An illustrative graph and expanded article is available at: www.copper.org/about/pressreleases/homepage.html)

At refrigeration temperature, the three strains placed on the copper were dead within six hours. On the brass, the first two strains were drastically reduced in six hours. The stainless steel had no effect on the bacteria.

According to Dr. C.W. Keevil, of the Environmental Healthcare Unit at the University of Southampton and lead author of the study, "Results for brass are significant with regard to reduction of the bacteria, although not quite to the extent as those for pure copper. It is clear, however, that the current use of stainless steel for hospital touch surfaces is not recommended."

The University of Southampton is one of the U.K.'s top 10 research universities, with a global reputation for excellence in both teaching and research.

The Copper Development Association is the information, education, market and technical development arm of the copper, brass and bronze industries in the USA.

Source: Business Wire

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