NEW YORK (March 20, 2014) - Copper's inherent ability to kill bacteria* will now be taught in America's college and university curriculums.
A new chapter in the Chemistry & Chemical Reactivity textbook, published by Cengage Learning, features the results of a Department of Defense funded, U.S. clinical trial investigating the antimicrobial properties of metallic, copper alloy surfaces like brass and bronze in the hospital environment. The chapter, titled "The Chemistry of the Transition Elements," details how installing surfaces made from these age-old metals is a 'simple and low cost way' to reduce bacteria* that cause healthcare-associated infections in hospitals.
The 1,408-page textbook - now in its 9th edition and available in hard cover through various online retailers - is described on Amazon.com as "combining thorough instruction with the powerful multimedia tools you need to develop a deeper understanding of general chemistry concepts."
Quoted in the book is Dr. Michael Schmidt, Professor and Vice Chairman of Microbiology and Immunology at the Medical University of South Carolina, a leading advocate for the use of antimicrobial copper surfaces in healthcare facilities.
"We have known for centuries that copper has intrinsic, antimicrobial properties and that it was used by our ancestors extensively" said Schmidt.
Copper-based alloys are engineering materials registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to continuously kill greater than 99.9 percent of bacteria* within just two hours of contact.
Previous editions are widely used in colleges, universities, and to a lesser extent high school advanced placement courses. The college level courses using the text are generally first year introductory courses, intended for a wide audience - biological and physical science majors, engineers, students interested in medical sciences, as well as chemistry majors.
"In preparing this edition, we tried to bring in important new developments in science such as the reference to antimicrobial properties of copper," said Paul M. Treichel, a co-author of the textbook, and Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
"The reference to the use of copper touch surfaces in healthcare environments in this textbook is a testament of the powerful body of evidence that exists on the benefits these surfaces can provide to society," said Wilton Moran, a project engineer at the Copper Development Association (CDA), the organization that helped provide the copper surfaces tested in the multi-site clinical trial. "The science supporting the benefits of copper touch surfaces is eye-opening and has earned copper a spot in the classroom."
Chemistry & Chemical Reactivity can be purchased on Amazon.com by clicking here. For more information about antimicrobial copper, visit www.antimicrobialcopper.com.
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About the Copper Development Association
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market development, engineering and information services arm of the
copper industry, chartered to enhance and expand markets for copper
and its alloys in North America. Learn more on our blog. Follow us on Twitter.
*About Antimicrobial Copper
Laboratory testing shows that, when cleaned regularly, antimicrobial copper surfaces kill greater than 99.9% of the following bacteria within 2 hours of exposure: MRSA, Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE), Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and E. coli O157:H7. Antimicrobial copper surfaces are a supplement to and not a substitute for standard infection control practices and have been shown to reduce microbial contamination, but do not necessarily prevent cross contamination; users must continue to follow all current infection control practices. Health claims related to the clinical trial have not been approved or reviewed by the U.S. EPA. Because many factors contribute to the risk of infection, individual results may vary.
EPA registered to make public health claims. In the U.S., after many years of research, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has registered more than 400 copper based alloys, such as brass and bronze, as public health antimicrobial products. Antimicrobial copper is the only metal registered by the EPA to continuously kill bacteria that cause infections and pose a risk to human health.
Copper is the active, microbe killing ingredient. Antimicrobial copper isn't a coating or additive, and it isn't just pure copper. It's shorthand for a host of copper based metals (or alloys) that can go head-to-head with stainless steel in terms of strength, durability and aesthetics. In addition to their antimicrobial properties, copper alloys are:
- Durable & recyclable
- Wear-resistant
- Can stand up to harsh environments
- Can retain details and finish over time
- Available in a range of colors
Learn more at www.antimicrobialcopper.com, or follow us on Twitter at @AntimicrobialCu.