Research Studies
Antimicrobial Copper CuLEAN® Strength Equipment

Scientific Peer-Reviewed Study at Grinnell Regional Medical Center Proves the Effectiveness of Antimicrobial Copper

The results of the study are undeniable and validate previous independent studies on the effectiveness of copper. A new clinical study investigating the bacteria-killing properties of copper has proven once again that copper can play a leading role in fighting bacteria1 that cause healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The paper also reached a second finding destined to shake-up the cleaning practices in the healthcare industry around the world.

Published in the September 28, 2016 online edition of the American Journal of Infection Control and authored by Grinnell College associate professor of biology Shannon Hinsa-Leaure, Ph.D., the study showed that:

  • EPA-registered CuVerro® copper kills 99.9% of bacteria1 it comes in contact with including e. coli and superbugs MRSA and VRE.
  • Bacterial loads do not rebound in patient rooms where surfaces are made of copper, whether the room is occupied or not.
  • Germs quickly recolonize on surfaces made of stainless, plastic, or wood

Infographics - Click to download PDF

Cuverro Hospitals demonstrating the antimicrobial power of copper.   Cuverro Healthcare Cleanliness uses copper for the health benefits, and so do we on our custom strength equipment.

Click here to read the full research study conducted at Grinnell Regional Medical Center in Grinnell, Iowa.

As well as the study at Grinnell Regional Medial Center, check out other studies validating the effectiveness of copper:

  1. O'Gorman, J. and Humphreys, H. Application of copper to prevent and control infection. Where are we now?. J Hosp Infect. 2012; 81: 217–223
  2. Rai, S., Hirsch, B.E., Attaway, H.H., Nadan, R., Fairey, S., Hardy, J. et al. Evaluation of the antimicrobial properties of copper surfaces in an outpatient infectious disease practice. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2012; 33: 200–201
  3. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Antimicrobial Copper Alloys—Group I (EPA Reg. No. 82012-1). (Available from:)https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/082012-00001-20140826.pdf; 2008. (Washington DC: United States of America; Accessed September 8, 2016)
  4. Schmidt, M.G., Attaway, H.H., Fairey, S.E., Steed, L.L., Michels, H.T., and Salgado, C.D. Copper continuously limits the concentration of bacteria resident on bed rails within the ICU. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2013; 34
  5. Mikolay, A., Huggett, S., Tikana, L., Grass, G., Braun, J., and Nies, D.H. Survival of bacteria on metallic copper surfaces in a hospital trial. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2010; 87: 1875–1879
  6. Michels, H.T., Keevil, C.W., Salgado, C.D., and Schmidt, M.G. From laboratory research to a clinical trial: copper alloy surfaces kill bacteria and reduce hospital-acquired infections. HERD. 2015; 9: 64–79
  7. Salgado, C.D., Sepkowitz, K.A., John, J.F., Cantey, J.R., Attaway, H.H., Freeman, K.D. et al. Copper surfaces reduce the rate of healthcare-acquired infections in the intensive care unit. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2013; 34: 479–486

*Laboratory testing demonstrates effective antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli 0157:H7, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). When cleaned regularly, CuVerro® surfaces kill more than 99.9% of bacteria within two hours of exposure and continue killing more than 99% of bacteria, even after repeated contamination.

1 17th Annual Scientific Session of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. Note: More scientific support documents are available upon request.

Protected by US Utility Patent issued to Black Iron Strength®.