Antimicrobial Properties of Copper

Just checking into a hospital can boost your chances greatly for infection. The World Health Organization estimates that “each year, hundreds of millions of patients around the world are affected” by healthcare-acquired infections. Did you know that copper naturally kills bacteria, yeasts, and viruses? It’s true and three different hospitals in the United States installed copper hand rails on all their hospital beds and lowered infection rates by 58%. There are a lot of options for how to incorporate copper. Bed rails are only the first step.  You may have noticed your favorite restaurant may have copper door handles.  Now, they probably put those nandles on for looks.  Little do they know they are killing germs and keeping us safe.

The theory of the oligodynamic effect was discovered in 1893 as a toxic effect of metal ions.  Especially heavy metals. Silver spoons also have similar antimicrobial properties.