COPPER ANTIMICROBIAL TOUCH SURFACES PROGRAM

	Harmful bacteria does not survive as long on copper as on other metal surfaces. This makes copper an excellent choice for hospital settings.

ATI is leading a Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC)-sponsored series of clinical trials utilizing copper to control bacteria in hospitals.

• Hospital-Acquired (Nosocomial) Infections are a Growing Problem
  • 2,000,000 people infected in U.S. hospitals each year
  • 90,000 of those infected die
  • The cost to society is $5 billion annually (US only)
• Copper is a naturally antimicrobial engineering material shown to pervasively kill bacteria in laboratory studies
• The effects of copper touch surfaces will be evaluated in hospital settings at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, MUSC and the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center

Copper Air Quality Program

	Copper can reduce the pathogenic fungi often found on moist HVAC components

Demonstrating copper’s ability to control microbial growth in ventilation systems in hospital and military settings

• Applying the antimicrobial properties of copper to reduce respiratory infections
• Includes a comprehensive indoor air quality engineering study; multiple field trials at Ft Jackson (SC), Ft Gordon (GA) and the USAF Academy (CO); and coordination with the Army Green Building program
• In US military populations respiratory illnesses account for 25-30% of outpatient hospital admissions
• In industry, respiratory infections result in $35 billion in sick leave annually