Copper Alloys Provide Long-Term Effectiveness Against SARS-CoV-2 Virus, Says U.S. Government
On February 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the use of products containing specific copper alloys could be sold and distributed as a way to kill and eliminate certain viruses. Providing this type of product with EPA registration is a first.
Several methods have traditionally been used in commercial buildings to protect against the spread of viruses or bacteria. When cleaning common areas where high traffic occurs, commercial products are a popular option. Soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is also a frequent choice in helping to kill germs. However, one of the challenges when using these remedies is the need to reapply them frequently.
Once a surface gets contaminated by a person carrying a virus, it usually requires cleaning again to avoid infecting others. Even then, the required frequency of cleaning with hard surface disinfectants may not be enough to combat bacteria and viruses, especially if they're highly contagious, like the one responsible for causing COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2.
Copper is an important metal used for both everyday and industrial purposes. Certain copper alloys are now being used to combat the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Several methods have traditionally been used in commercial buildings to protect against the spread of viruses or bacteria. When cleaning common areas where high traffic occurs, commercial products are a popular option. Soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is also a frequent choice in helping to kill germs. However, one of the challenges when using these remedies is the need to reapply them frequently.
Once a surface gets contaminated by a person carrying a virus, it usually requires cleaning again to avoid infecting others. Even then, the required frequency of cleaning with hard surface disinfectants may not be enough to combat bacteria and viruses, especially if they're highly contagious, like the one responsible for causing COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2.
Copper is an important metal used for both everyday and industrial purposes. Certain copper alloys are now being used to combat the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Combating Viruses
The EPA's announcement granted an amended registration to the labeling of Antimicrobial Copper Alloys - Group 1. Also known as EPA Reg. No. 82012-1, registered products in Group 1 must contain at least 95.6 percent copper.
The amendment allows distributors of these products to make specific claims about their effectiveness and ability to stall the transmission of viruses present on surfaces. The time a virus can survive on a surface plays a crucial role in transmitting disease.
With this announcement, the EPA stated that efficacy tests had been conducted showing positive results for high percentage copper alloy products to kill viruses coming in contact with them. Testing indicated that these specialized products could eliminate 99.9 percent of SARS-CoV-2.
One of the most beneficial aspects of the EPA registration for these copper products is the effectiveness. As long as the copper alloy surface product remains in place and is used as directed, it should stay effective and stop the spread of COVID-19. If the SARS-CoV-2 virus comes in contact with one of these products, the virus should be killed completely within 2 hours.
This is a positive step forward. Hopefully the EPA will continue and broaden its research into the effectiveness of more copper alloys in providing sanitization of surfaces.
High-Percentage Copper Alloy Products Provide a Supplement to Disinfection and Routine Cleaning Solutions
The news of this amended registration and change in labeling makes it possible for manufacturers of products containing antimicrobial copper alloys to supplement the disinfectants on the EPA's List N and sell them as a way to kill the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).
Several of the disinfectants already on List N are solutions containing ingredients like quaternary ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, isopropanol or ethanol. They have met a higher standard of efficacy to be allowed on List N.
Supplementing the need to use these types of disinfectants may help reduce costs and the time it takes to sanitize areas. Including specific copper alloy products in the List N appendix adds another line of defense that can be used to supplement routine disinfection and cleaning methods.
Several of the disinfectants already on List N are solutions containing ingredients like quaternary ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, isopropanol or ethanol. They have met a higher standard of efficacy to be allowed on List N.
Supplementing the need to use these types of disinfectants may help reduce costs and the time it takes to sanitize areas. Including specific copper alloy products in the List N appendix adds another line of defense that can be used to supplement routine disinfection and cleaning methods.
Using Copper Alloy Products To Disinfect Specific Areas
While it's still essential to use standard infection control practices for a virus such as SARS-CoV-2, this change in labeling provides a new method for building owners to assist in keeping individuals residing or working on their property healthy.
Using a copper alloy product in areas where people are frequently touching a surface offers an excellent way to significantly slow down or eliminate the spread of COVID-19, which is known to occur via close contact between individuals.
Having this option available creates a whole new sanitation method for people who own and maintain commercial real estate.
Using a copper alloy product in areas where people are frequently touching a surface offers an excellent way to significantly slow down or eliminate the spread of COVID-19, which is known to occur via close contact between individuals.
Having this option available creates a whole new sanitation method for people who own and maintain commercial real estate.
Provides a Highly Effective Supplement To List N Disinfectants
Qualifying to be on the EPA's List N for COVID-19 disinfectants requires one of the following criteria:
- Demonstrates efficacy against COVID-19.
- Demonstrates efficacy against a pathogen that's harder to kill than COVID-19.
- Demonstrates efficacy against a coronavirus similar to COVID-19.
Currently, there are over 550 disinfectants listed. These antimicrobial formulations come in the form of liquids, sprays or towelettes.
The EPA uses strict interpretations of ASTM International and AOAC International standard methods to conduct their testing and measure the effectiveness of each hard surface disinfectant against viruses and bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella choleraesuis.
- Demonstrates efficacy against COVID-19.
- Demonstrates efficacy against a pathogen that's harder to kill than COVID-19.
- Demonstrates efficacy against a coronavirus similar to COVID-19.
Currently, there are over 550 disinfectants listed. These antimicrobial formulations come in the form of liquids, sprays or towelettes.
The EPA uses strict interpretations of ASTM International and AOAC International standard methods to conduct their testing and measure the effectiveness of each hard surface disinfectant against viruses and bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella choleraesuis.
Copper Covers Offer a Way To Sanitize High-Touch Surfaces
Making a commercial real estate property safer for tenants or employees can now be completed using a copper alloy product containing the appropriate amount of copper and placing them on surfaces where people are most likely to touch frequently.
Protecting high-touch surfaces such as handrails can provide long-lasting protection via the self-sanitizing mechanism offered by the copper element.
While not replacing the standard practices of infection control, it does offer another tool to make living and working spaces in commercial buildings safer and healthier.
Protecting high-touch surfaces such as handrails can provide long-lasting protection via the self-sanitizing mechanism offered by the copper element.
While not replacing the standard practices of infection control, it does offer another tool to make living and working spaces in commercial buildings safer and healthier.
