Making door handles, taps and light switches from copper could help beat superbugs, scientists say.
A study found that copper taps, toilet seats and push plates on doors rapidly killed common bugs. It is believed that the metal ‘suffocates’ germs, preventing them breathing. It may also stop them from feeding and destroy their DNA. Lab tests show that the metal kills off the deadly MRSA and C difficile superbugs. It also kills other dangerous germs, including the flu virus and the E coli food poisoning bug.
During the ten-week trial on a medical ward, a set of taps, a lavatory seat and a push plate on an entrance door were replaced with copper versions. They were swabbed twice a day for bugs and the results compared with a traditional tap, lavatory seat and push plate elsewhere in the ward.
The copper items had up to 95 per cent fewer bugs on their surface whenever they were tested.
[Source]
Chapter: Antibiotics,Health :: 16 December 2008
