Copper Bed Railings Could Decrease Infections at Hospitals

[DB24]

I’m surprised no one has thought of this already. Since coppers antimicrobial properties have been know for years.

 

http://www.npr.org/blogs/goatsandsoda/2014/12/15/369931598/a-copper-bedrail-could-cut-back-on-infections-for-hospital-patients

 

 

How does copper kill microbes?

It's called the oligodynamic effect. Wikipedia defines the effect as "a toxic effect of metal ions on living cells, algae, molds, spores, fungi,viruses, prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms, even in relatively low concentrations." A study from the National College of Kathmandu in Nepal elaborates:

 

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a dangerous bacteria strain because it is resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics.[31][32] Recent strains of the bacteria, EMRSA-15 and EMRSA-16, are highly transmissible and durable. This is of extreme importance to those concerned with reducing the incidence of hospital-acquired MRSA infections.

 

In 2008, after evaluating a wide body of research mandated specifically by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), registration approvals were granted by EPA in 2008 granting that copper alloys kill more than 99.9% of MRSA within two hours.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimicrobial_properties_of_copper

Edited December 19, 2014 by DB24

[AngelsLongBall]

I definitely had this pegged as a Redondo post

[Tank]

you can always trust those bastards at the national college of kathmandu.