Uncoated Copper is Highly Antimicrobial, Antiviral, and Antibacterial

COPPER KILLS BACTERIA & VIRUSES

We have been aware of copper’s antimicrobial, antiviral, and antibacterial properties for years. Our small business cannot afford the very expensive process of acquiring EPA certification as an disinfectant product, but our product is copper. Now, more than ever, copper can help to protect our health, helping to disinfect the tabletops, bar-tops and counter-tops that are constantly being touched. Please see our well documented statements below.

Our products are made of 98% – 99% pure recycled copper in the Mexican state of Michoacán, where coppersmiths have worked this precious and useful metal for over 500 years. We do not use 100% industrial copper (the kind that US corporations have certified with the EPA) because it will not take a patina in the same way recycled copper will. We have had our recycled copper professionally analyzed for content by Luvak, Inc of Boston, MA. The results indicate that the recycled copper we use is 98%-99% copper, with trace amounts of iron and up to 1.78% zinc, which we have added for strength.

According to the research we present here, the virus that causes Covid-19 (Smithsonian, April 14, 2020) does not thrive on copper surfaces. According to that research, if the these viruses land on an unwaxed copper surface, MORE THAN ONE-HALF OF THEM DIE IN LESS THAN 30 MINUTES, and ALL ARE GONE IN FOUR HOURS (New England Journal of Medicine, March 17, 2020). On other surfaces, such as plexiglass, stainless steel, porcelain, wood, ceramics, teflon, glass or stone, these viruses can live for days. We repeat here – this claim is not yet certified by the EPA, and more research needs to be done for this to be a rock-solid scientific claim. However, we trust the work that has been done by the Copper Development Association (CDA – copper.org), and the research we have shown here, including research that has been done on the effects of copper on very similar viruses, and on bacteria (see below). CDA is being extremely scientifically careful about claims about the efficacy of copper against the Covid virus. They say, “Considering the limited evidence against SARS-CoV-2 referenced above, further testing would be required to assess the effectiveness of copper surfaces, and to support EPA-registered product label claims against SARS-CoV-2.” If you would like to know more about this, an excellent source is the Copper Development Association. Contact Adam Estelle at adam.estelle@copperalliance.us. Estelle was hired there by Harold Michels, who is known as “The Father of Antimicrobial Copper.” Michels wrote the Spring, 2020 article that has most thoroughly promoted copper as an antimicrobial disinfectant that will be useful against SARS-CoV-2 (https://www.asminternational.org/documents/10192/1630346/20_CopperCorona_Digital_First.pdf/6bca29a0-fe6d-cb09-a8bc-a2dbaff4db11).

Again, for copper to be effective as a disinfectant, it must be UNWAXED, and we offer it unwaxed. Just ask, and we can send you photos of the appearance without wax. Decades of research have shown that unwaxed copper eliminates dangerous viruses and many kinds of bacteria (see: anti-microbial qualities of copper). It has already been completely proven that, over a period of a few minutes to four hours, contact with copper kills many dangerous noroviruses, flu viruses, and coronaviruses, as well as dangerous bacteria, namely Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE), Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, E. Coli O157:H7, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (“MRSA”).

Only unwaxed and un-lacquered copper has anti-viral, antibacterial qualities. If your product is already waxed (to slow patina change), the wax can be washed off, with hot water and soap, and applied later if you would like. We recommend cleaning copper after each use with mild dish soap and water. No harsh chemicals needed. Along with frequent hand washing and other general cleanliness practices, copper can be a useful part of a solid cleanliness program. We have extensive restaurant and hospitality industry product choices. We can replace your current tabletops with copper; and you’ll be able to use your existing bases.

Call for more information or a quick quote. 256-283-6496