Released on April 25, 2011

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the registration of an additional 73 copper alloys as antimicrobial, bringing the number of EPA-registered copper alloys to 355.

Potential uses for the alloys include door and furniture hardware, bed rails, intravenous dispensers, faucets, sinks and work stations. Many of the applications include or are primarily composed of metal castings.

The EPA registration allows public health claims to be made regarding the efficacy of the alloys in killing certain harmful, potentially deadly bacteria. According to a press release issued by the Copper Development Association, the registration was granted based on independent laboratory tests showing that, when cleaned regularly, copper, brass and bronze kill greater than 99.9% of the following bacteria within two hours of exposure: MRSA, Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. coli O157:H7.

A clinical trial funded by the U.S. Department of Defense has found that copper surfaces decrease contamination in intensive care unit rooms. Researchers are currently evaluating whether this decrease means fewer hospital acquired infections.

The Copper Development Association is the information, education, market and technical development arm of the domestic copper, brass and bronze industries.