Copper's Natural Sterilization Abilities Are Nothing New
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The first known medical use of copper dates back to ~2,500 B.C., where researchers found a text written in an Ancient Egyptian medical text that copper could be used to sterilize wounds and drinking water.
Later, in ~400 B.C., Greek physician Hippocrates recommended sprinkling a dry powder composed of copper oxide and copper sulfate on fresh wounds to prevent infection. Source Later, in the eighteenth century the British Navy began sheathing the hulls of their ships in copper to prevent the build up of algae and barnacles. Source |
Copper During the Cholera Epidemic
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The first major scientific investigation into copper's antimicrobial properties was formally launched in ~1850 during the Cholera Epidemic.
A physician named Victor Burq noticed something strange during this epidemic; 200 copper mining workers, who operated in poor conditions with poor hygiene, were all spared from this widespread disease. Fascinated by this finding, Dr. Burq went to hundreds of jewellers, goldsmiths, and boilermakers, who each work with copper and could not find a single case of Cholera. He even found that musicians who played brass instruments (brass is partly copper) were also protected! Source Burq concluded that "copper or its alloys, brass and bronze, applied literally and pregnantly to the skin in the cholera epidemic are effective means of prevention which should not be neglected.” Source |
Modern Scientific Studies on Copper's Antimicrobial Properties
1. Scientific Journal Publication from the UK Center for Biological Sciences
Source: Warnes, Sarah L., et al. “Human Coronavirus 229E Remains Infectious on Common Touch Surface Materials.” MBio, vol. 6, no. 6, 2015, doi:10.1128/mbio.01697-15. Link Here
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Arguably the most influential modern copper-related scientific study journal publication arrived in 2015 from the UK's Center for Biological Sciences. The purpose of this study was to test the survival rate of SARS and MERS on common surfaces to determine if spread can be contained. In a nutshell, this study placed these viruses in small doses on a petri dish made of said surface. It then watched the virus' decay over time, measured in "pfu per coupon", or in layman terms, virus particles per petri dish.
As seen in the chart to the left, the study found that SARS and MERS bacteria survives for upwards of 5 days for common surfaces. This finding was so impactful that the study chose a title of "Human Coronavirus 229E Remains Infectious on Common Touch Surface Materials". 'Common', however, does not include copper... |
Source: ibid
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The second chart to the left paints a dramatically different story. It ran the exact same SARS and MERS bacteria study, although with six variants of copper, ranging in purity from 100% Copper (Cu) to 60% Copper. It also shows stainless steel and zinc for reference. The result? SARS and MERS cannot survive on copper for any longer than 2-hours. In fact, "10 mins following exposure to copper, many virus particles appeared to be disintegrating, although some virions were still present. After 30-minutes, further damage had occurred and virions appeared shrunken with damage."
There is also a clear correlation between the purity of copper and its effectiveness as a sanitizer; "the more copper, the faster the virus was inactivated." The study concluded with: "Copper alloy surfaces could be employed in communal areas and at any mass gatherings to help reduce transmission of respiratory viruses from contaminated surfaces and protect the public health.” |
2. Scientific Journal Publication from US National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of Health
Source: Michels, Harold T., et al. “From Laboratory Research to a Clinical Trial.” HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal, vol. 9, no. 1, 2015, pp. 64–79., doi:10.1177/1937586715592650. Link Here
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A similar study was run in the same year, although specifically targeting the survival of many infectious viruses and bacteria on various surfaces. More specifically, this study looked to determine if copper could be an effective sanitizer for viruses such as influenza, E. Coli, Norovirus, and many others.
The study concluded: “In the typical clinical setting, copper alloys kill most of the bacteria in a matter of minutes rather than hours.” It went on to explain that 99.9% pure Copper was recognized as an effective sanitizer, which they defined as reducing 99.9% of bacteria and viruses with two hours. This gave rise to items like the one on the left, touting copper as an effective, reusable, sanitizer. |
3. Scientific Journal Publication from New England Journal of Medicine
Source: Doremalen, Neeltje Van, et al. “Aerosol and Surface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 as Compared with SARS-CoV-1.” New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 382, no. 16, 2020, pp. 1564–1567., doi:10.1056/nejmc2004973. Link Here
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On April 16, 2020 a fascinating study was published the New England Journal of Medicine. This study's purpose was to evaluate the stability of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1, in aerosols and on various surfaces (plastic, stainless steel, copper, and cardboard). The study then estimated the virus' decay rates.
*SARS-CoV-2 is the strain of coronavirus that causes coronavirus COVID-19* This study found that COVID-19’s half life on copper was 8.8x faster than on plastic and 7.3x faster than on steel. COVID-19 is estimated to die completely on plastic after 72-hours, 48-hours for steel, and 4-hours for copper. |
The Conclusion
- Throughout history, copper has continually proven to be an effective sanitizer.
- Bacteria and viruses cannot survive on copper as long as they can on other surfaces.
- Published scientific experts believe that copper could be used in communal areas and at any mass gatherings to help reduce transmission of respiratory viruses from contaminated surfaces. This would in turn protect public health.
