On Request: Applications of copper for infection control and prevention by Grace Filby 3 pages - pdf.
Below is a record of work informing public bodies that
copper alloys kill germs and offer physical antimicrobial
barriers against infection naturally. The recommendations
include innovative practical applications of Key Stage 3 Science.
Facts to remember about Copper and Brass
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| Beyonce in brass chain mail: costume design Adam Howarth; image Pepsico; thanks to Mike Wilby, Reigate - The Armchair Armourer |
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A Microbiologist comments: 'I reviewed your document on antimicrobial properties of copper and found it very interesting and complete. Other than general reading in disinfection text books, I have had relatively little experience with bactericidal properties of metallic ions; but can see the beneficial applications in our war with superbugs. The important thing is of course that it will take as many different kill methods as possible to prevent superbugs from becoming resistant and therefore copper is yet another way; however, as I found out in graduate school, most people want to use the same antibacterial agent all the time. Too complicated to switch disinfectant types or build in multiple barrier technology they argue.'" G.W. (Bill) Riedel, PhD, MCIC |
 See below |
 MRSA bacteria thrive on stainless steel (blue) but die off quickly on copper (red - 90 minutes) and copper alloy surfaces. |
| public bodies informed | action taken? | follow up |
| Patent Office | Registered 14.6.05 Appln.no:GB0512044.9 - 3 pages of A4. | sent more info |
| Business Link | They provided confidential advice - their comment? 'Big potential'. | written advice |
| MP for Reigate | Acknowledged receipt. | none received |
| Rapid Review Panel HPA | Immediately confirmed the antimicrobial properties and sent contact details for CNO and CMO. Only option is standard procedure. | none received |
| Customer Services, DoH | Standard reply and re-referral to Rapid Review Panel | none received |
| Customer Services, DoH | Email bounced - address supplied by MHRA was incorrect | none received |
| Customer Services, DoH | Second reply was 'in due course'; 'not possible for the Panel to look at concepts/ideas' |
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| Prof.Chris Beasley, Chief Nursing Officer, DoH |
Sent a personal reply. No request for the document. | none received |
| Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer, DoH |
none received |
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| HSE - the regulatory authority on biocides | Ask them about their fees. | |
| Interim Chief Executive, Surrey & Sussex NHS
Hospital Trust |
P.A. acknowledged receipt of message, cc'd to Infection Control and Prevention Team leaders and Interim Chief Executive. Interim Chief Executive subsequently replaced with 2 further Chief Executives. | none received |
| NHS Estates | Email bounced | none received |
| Chief Veterinary Officer, DEFRA | Executive Office asked if they could evaluate the concept - their reply: "insufficient scientific evidence... described in the papers enclosed" (3 pages) See school science references. |
none received |
| MHRA |
Referral elsewhere x 3. |
none received |
| HCAI consultation@DoH | published a summary of all 121 responses 24.11.05 | none received |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Health | Reply received. Document not requested. | Researcher phoned about other aspects re HCAIs |
| Healthcare Commission | 20.10.05: Provided an interview at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Buckinghamshire Health Authority for their investigation on Clostridium difficile outbreaks commissioned by the Secretary of State for Health. Supplied evidence base and described the scientific principle in 5 minutes (GCSE science). | See reply. All papers returned, March 06 'Outside our terms of reference.' 'It may be of more interest to NICE'. |
| World Health Organisation | Suggestions form didn't work. Informed webteam. | none received |
| Transport For London | Reply received from Customer Services. Message is being forwarded to 2 Safety, Quality & Environment managers and a Communications manager. 'Thank you.' 'Do get back in touch if I can be of any further help.' | |
| Healthcare Commission | My email dated 9.4.08 was passed around between various members of staff and a reply was received on 4.6.08. See text: Re_Re_Fw_CDiff |
Summing up 2008 from HCC Head of Healthcare Associated Infections: "Copper alloys may be useful when included as a package of measures to prevent and control HCAI but the findings quoted here need to be replicated independently and considered by the HPA rapid review panel for an opinion. It is likely that trusts would also want to carry out a cost benefit analysis before replacing all door handles and surfaces with copper based ones." |
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Valuable allies 'The spread of infectious and often deadly diseases in our hospitals has been deemed a major threat to patient safety by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which estimates that infections acquired in healthcare facilities result in nearly 88,000 deaths each year in the USA. As the CDC advocates improved sanitary procedures to ensure the health and safety of patients, there is important new research that shows copper and its alloys, such as bronze and brass, can be valuable allies in the fight against infection. Every year, nearly 2 million patients are infected while receiving health care in U.S. hospitals. Most infections are spread from direct or indirect contact with an infected healthcare worker and are especially common in intensive care units where the use of body-invasive equipment makes transmission of germs much easier. A Growing Threat: Drug-Resistant Bacteria Drs. C. William Keevil and J.O. Noyce of the University of Southampton in England recently announced exciting new findings that could help prevent the spread of MRSA bacteria. At the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology last May, they reported that copper is able to stop the spread of MRSA by limiting the time the bacteria are able to stay alive on its surface. Their study determined that MRSA can survive for only 90 minutes on a surface made from 99% copper, yet stays alive for 72 hours or more on stainless steel - the most common metal used in healthcare facilities today. Preventing Foodborne Illness Some 500 people die from Listeria contamination every year, according to the CDC, and approximately 2,500 get sick. Eliminating bacteria like Listeria is one of the reasons we rinse raw vegetables and fruits before eating and are instructed to cook all meat and poultry thoroughly. When Listeria bacteria are placed on a copper, brass or bronze surface, they survive only 60 minutes, the study found. However, the bacteria can survive for up to several days on stainless steel, the predominant work surface used in restaurants. Research is continuing, but these and other studies suggest that a better choice for both food handling and hospital applications would be doorknobs, push plates, work surfaces, and other hardware products made from durable, cost-competitive copper alloys. For more information on copper's antimicrobial properties, visit www.copper.org.'
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