Evidence - Copper Development Association

Explore the proven
benefits of copper alloys.

Advance your knowledge of the science behind the amazing antimicrobial benefits of copper alloys.

It’s not science fiction. The efficacy of copper alloys against viruses is a well-documented science fact.

Recently, the EPA announced that certain copper alloys provide effective long-term protection against viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. The EPA’s approval makes these alloys the first and only products to be registered for nationwide use with residual, long-lasting efficacy claims against viruses.

Copper alloys do not require additional cleaning or special maintenance and are compatible with hospital-grade disinfectants.

Germs persist on traditional surface materials like plastic and stainless steel for a long time:

• SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19): 2 to 3 days
• Rotavirus: 60 days
• VRE: 4 months
• C. diff spores: 5 months

• MRSA: 7 months
• E. coli: 16 months
• S. typhimurium: 4.2 years

All EPA tests showed >99% reduction in bacteria including antibiotic-resistant superbugs.

Antimicrobial Copper alloys are the first and only products included on the EPA's List N Appendix, which contains virucidal products that offer residual, 24/7 effectiveness, rather than conventional disinfectants that only work upon application.

Antimicrobial copper alloys continuously kill >99.9% of MRSA, Rhinovirus, Rotavirus and Human Coronavirus 229E within 2 hours

More than 250 studies support the self-sanitizing properties of copper.

Clinical/Field Trial

Patients treated in hospital ICU rooms with copper surfaces had 58% fewer infections

Economics

The cost of outfitting hospital rooms with copper surfaces was recouped in 1-2 months based on prevented infections

Guidelines

Antimicrobial Copper surfaces are included in the epic3 National Evidence-Based Guidelines for Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections in NHS Hospitals in England

Laboratory Efficacy

Rapid Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 on Copper Touch Surfaces Determined Using a Cell Culture Infectivity Assay

Mechanism

Antimicrobial Copper surfaces kill human pathogens though multiple mechanisms

Reviews

Antimicrobial copper has demonstrated efficacy against myriad human pathogens in laboratory and clinical studies

View All Studies

Additional studies identified by the Copper Development Association

How It Works

A microbe cell recognizes copper ions on the surface as an essential nutrient and allows them to enter.

Once inside, a lethal dose of copper ions interferes with normal cell functions and the integrity of the microbe’s membrane.

Copper ions impede cell respiration and metabolism, sometimes damaging the microbe’s DNA. The cell dies.

The above studies are provided for general information purposes only. Nothing on this webpage, or in the referenced studies, should be considered as support for pesticidal claims of a specific product, nor as pesticidal claims in connection with an offer for sale or distribution of a specific product, nor is the information intended to suggest that any specific copper product will perform in a certain way. In general, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) requires that all pesticides, including all antimicrobial pesticide products, distributed or sold must be registered by EPA and distributed bearing their EPA-approved pesticide label, which includes specific directions for use. In addition, it is unlawful for any person to sell or distribute: (1) an unregistered pesticide; or (2) a registered pesticide with claims that differ from those approved by EPA. Further testing would be required to support any EPA-registered product label claims against SARS-CoV-2.