Copper as a Natural Alternative for Disinfectants?
For two years now we’ve been using them more than ever: disinfectants. But overuse can damage the skin’s natural barrier.
There’s a metal that was already used by the Romans as a natural and skin-friendly means for everyday hygiene: copper.
Researchers have discovered that copper has an antimicrobial surface, so that pathogens on the hands can be rendered harmless. In direct contact with copper ions, the coatings of the pathogens come loose, causing them to die off after a short time.
„[…] many bacterial species, such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus, Salmonella, […] are efficiently killed on copper alloy surfaces. In contrast, on stainless steel, living cells could be recovered even after days.“
Today, door handles and light switches with a copper alloy are increasingly being installed, especially in buildings with vulnerable groups such as hospitals and retirement homes.
