We’ve made our way into unprecedented times, as the pandemic outbreak of COVID-19 is spreading across the globe and impacting all facets of life. Sporting events and concerts are on hold, bars and restaurants are shutting down, and hospitals are overcrowded and overworked as we continue to grapple with this coronavirus on a worldwide scale. As prominent as news and statistical updates have been on a minute-by-minute basis, so too have suggested best practices of how to help “flatten the curve” – hand-washing, social distancing, and self-isolation all come to mind. But among these best practices is another that few media outlets are talking about – the use of copper in the home as an antimicrobial defense.
Copper vs. other household materials
A new study by the National Institutes of Health finds that while COVID-19 can survive for multiple days on the common household surfaces on polypropylene (plastic) and stainless steel, it only survives for up to four hours on copper. That means while this virus is just settling in on Tupperware, product packaging, countertops, and cookware, copper could be working to eradicate it from your home in a fraction of the time. And as history would have it, this healing quality is nothing new.
The healing background of copper
In many ancient cultures, the term copper itself was synonymous with life and health. Today it’s easy to see why. Copper is a natural antimicrobial material, meaning it possesses the inherent ability to kill a wide range of harmful microbes relatively rapidly. It is a self-sterilizing substance, as are its alloys such a brass, bronze, and others. It’s for reasons like this that American homes have used copper lines to bring drinking water into households for decades, and why we may begin to see the resurgent use of copper in healthcare facilities in the coming years.
Copper in healthcare facilities
In 2015, a study compared the infection rates at three separate hospitals and found that those that featured prominent use of copper alloys in touch surfaces like doorknobs and railings saw a reduced infection rate of 58%. Copper was even the first antimicrobial metal surfaced approved by the EPA – and up to this point, the last. The absence of copper in the home in favor of polypropylene and stainless steel surfaces poses a significant threat to your family’s health – both amid the outbreak of COVID-19 and in the future. Fortunately, there’s a solution with benefits ranging from disease prevention to aesthetic appeal and several areas in between.
Your household needs copper products today
Copper products in the home actively work to eliminate bacteria and viruses in addition to delivering a visual allure and versatility. Products like range hoods, farmhouse sinks, and tables serve as captivating cornerstones in the kitchen, while more ancillary features like door handles, railings, and serving trays provide complementary value while also ridding themselves of harmful germs and bacteria. The addition of copper to your household proves beneficial not just for today’s current outbreak, but for protection against any future diseases, as well. Its efficacy has been also been studied and found in regard to influenzas and bacteria like E. Coli. Welcoming copper into your home raises its value, and is one of the easiest ways to protect those you care about.
Protect your home’s surfaces with help from CopperSmith
CopperSmith partners with the world’s greatest artisans, manufacturers, and industry-leading brands to deliver the highest-quality copper products on the market. Browse our catalog to find the perfect addition to your home and give us a call at 1-952-800-9012 for prompt and reliable customer service.