The Killing Game: Copper, A Possible Bactericide for Contact Surfaces
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Major
Aerospace Engineering
Research Advisor
Westenberg, David J.
Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Funding Source
Copper Development Association and Missouri S&T Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract
Antibiotic resistant bacteria are becoming more prevalent across the country. These infections are often spread by common contact surfaces such as door handles and push plates. Copper has been suggested to have antimicrobial properties and has been suggested as a replacement surface for stainless steel. In this study stainless steel, brass, and copper plates were tested for bacteria after a 24-hour exposure on the doors of school restrooms. In addition, a known quantity of E. coli and S. epidermidis were placed on each the different types of metal plates to determine the plates’ antimicrobial properties over time..Based on this study, the following conclusions can be drawn: 1) Both the copper and brass demonstrated antimicrobial properties in the field study on public school restrooms. The results were significant (p < .05) 2) Brass was comparable to copper in its antimicrobial effectiveness 3) Over 99% of the E. coli and S. epidermidis were killed on the copper and brass plates within 30 minutes in the laboratory controlled experiment.
Biography
Michael Stockwell is an Aerospace Engineering major that has been doing research and is minoring in the Biological sciences.
Research Category
Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
08 Apr 2009, 9:00 am - 11:45 am
The Killing Game: Copper, A Possible Bactericide for Contact Surfaces
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Antibiotic resistant bacteria are becoming more prevalent across the country. These infections are often spread by common contact surfaces such as door handles and push plates. Copper has been suggested to have antimicrobial properties and has been suggested as a replacement surface for stainless steel. In this study stainless steel, brass, and copper plates were tested for bacteria after a 24-hour exposure on the doors of school restrooms. In addition, a known quantity of E. coli and S. epidermidis were placed on each the different types of metal plates to determine the plates’ antimicrobial properties over time..Based on this study, the following conclusions can be drawn: 1) Both the copper and brass demonstrated antimicrobial properties in the field study on public school restrooms. The results were significant (p < .05) 2) Brass was comparable to copper in its antimicrobial effectiveness 3) Over 99% of the E. coli and S. epidermidis were killed on the copper and brass plates within 30 minutes in the laboratory controlled experiment.
