What is Copper?
Copper is a metal alloy that is reddish-orange in color and is also a mineral found in both plants and soil as well as the human body. Copper use dates back more than 10,000 years. Pure copper is very soft and often combined with other precious metals for use in Jewelry.
Why we need Copper?
Copper is an essential mineral used by the body’s bones, nervous system, joints and even the circulatory system. Many people who lack copper find that wearing jewelry made from solid copper is beneficial.The skin is the largest organ in the body and will absorb the copper being worn ie: rings and bracelets
The what and how of it
When pure uncoated copper comes into contact with the skins and oils small amounts of copper enter the blood stream as copper salt. Many believe that wearing copper Jewelry relieves their arthritic and circulatory problems.
Holistically copper is considered a "grounding" metal for the human body and spirit.
Spiritually copper is believed to not only have healing powers but protective powers as well. This is why copper has been used since ancient times in totems and talismans.
So why Copper Jewelry?
Copper is extremely durable and when cared for properly will last a lifetime. Pure copper jewelry will often turn the wearers’ skin green due to the chemical reaction that makes it beneficial. This means the copper is working in the body and is cleaned off with soap and water. Keeping the copper jewelry is as easy as a trip to the refrigerator as anything acidic such as lemon juice or ketchup will clean it almost instantly. A soft tooth brush may be needed to get into the crevices but allow it to soak no longer than 20 min.
Copper is a metal alloy that is reddish-orange in color and is also a mineral found in both plants and soil as well as the human body. Copper use dates back more than 10,000 years. Pure copper is very soft and often combined with other precious metals for use in Jewelry.
Why we need Copper?
Copper is an essential mineral used by the body’s bones, nervous system, joints and even the circulatory system. Many people who lack copper find that wearing jewelry made from solid copper is beneficial.The skin is the largest organ in the body and will absorb the copper being worn ie: rings and bracelets
The what and how of it
When pure uncoated copper comes into contact with the skins and oils small amounts of copper enter the blood stream as copper salt. Many believe that wearing copper Jewelry relieves their arthritic and circulatory problems.
Holistically copper is considered a "grounding" metal for the human body and spirit.
Spiritually copper is believed to not only have healing powers but protective powers as well. This is why copper has been used since ancient times in totems and talismans.
So why Copper Jewelry?
Copper is extremely durable and when cared for properly will last a lifetime. Pure copper jewelry will often turn the wearers’ skin green due to the chemical reaction that makes it beneficial. This means the copper is working in the body and is cleaned off with soap and water. Keeping the copper jewelry is as easy as a trip to the refrigerator as anything acidic such as lemon juice or ketchup will clean it almost instantly. A soft tooth brush may be needed to get into the crevices but allow it to soak no longer than 20 min.
ASpecial Thank you
to Jeff Borup
for allowing us to use his research on copper regarding its antibacterial properties and use within the hospital setting.
Hemistry at Work: Renewable Healthcare
Students: J. Borup
Chemistry 221: General Chemistry Fall-2015
Instructor: Randall K. Weese
ABSTRACT
Copper has been in continuous use for thousands of years, with an initial discovery date
estimated of 9000 B.C. Copper, Atomic number 29, is a transitional element found in
period four and is within the same group as silver and gold. Its antimicrobial and
biostatic properties make it an excellent choice for use in the hospital setting. There is
compelling evidence advocating for the expanded medical use of this transitional metal to
reduce the amount of hospital acquired staph infections that are proving harder to treat
due to their antibiotic resistance. In ancient times cultures such as the Romans, Aztecs
and Greeks used copper for its medicinal purposes and the disinfection of water. Copper
continues to be widely used as a conductor for electrical motors, multiple electrical
applications, potable water delivery, and even corrosion resistance for the hulls of ships.
In this paper we will be focusing on the health benefits of copper within the hospital
setting, its ‘halo effect’ and how copper is 100% recyclable without any loss in quality,
making copper an ideal choice for continued modern applications in the environmentally
conscious spectrum.
The oligodynamic effect was discovered in 1893 by Swiss botanist Karl Wilhelm von
Nägeli. The oligodynamic effect is basically the antimicrobial affect that certain metals
exhibit to effectively neutralize bacteria. In the hospital setting, common items such has
door knobs, hand rails and light switches contain millions of bacteria that are easily
1
Chemistry at Work: Renewable Healthcare
spread form person to person on contact. Because the exposure occurs in the hospital
setting, the bacteria are exposed, over time, to various cleaning agents and antibiotics.
Through this contact the bacteria can and do develop into antibacterial resistant strains
making them harder to treat and kill. In turn, this increases the cost of healthcare, the
suffering of the patient and workload on an already strained profession.
One common bacteria that is proving harder to treat is MRSA or Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus Aureus. Image source: http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/
2
Chemistry at Work: Renewable Healthcare
MRSA developed in hospital settings and in areas where there where close person-to-
person exposure in high transient areas. Hospitals, colleges, gyms and military training
centers are common sites for transmission. As you can see from the pictures this type of
bacteria grows rapidly, the site presents in a painful erythemic pustule or boil. Tissue can
become necrotic and if left untreated the bacteria can spread often creating ‘sinus tracts’
where there is essentially a tunnel of infection beneath the skin. Sites are treated by
incision and drainage; followed by twice-daily wound packing, wound irrigation and at
least 10-14 days of an antibiotic. Because MRSA has developed a tolerance for
3
Chemistry at Work: Renewable Healthcare
antibiotics there are limited resources for effective treatment. MRSA’s protein barrier
has evolved to effectively block out the mechanism of action of standard antibiotics.
Treatment usually requires confirmation by culture; testing MRSA against antibiotics in a
lab setting to see which one will work.
Copper’s mechanism of action works in multiple was to become toxic to the bacteria.
Starting with the protein barrier of the cell, copper’s ionic properties help to charge the
bacteria and punch holes in the membrane. It is strongly suspected that copper works in
the cells receptors and the Cu ions charge the cell in a type of oxidization reaction.
(A) Copper dissolves from the copper surface and causes cell damage. (B) The cell
membrane ruptures because of copper and other stress phenomena, leading to loss
of membrane potential and cytoplasmic content. (C) Copper ions induce the
generation of reactive oxygen species, which cause further cell damage. (D) Genomic
and plasmid DNA becomes degraded. Grass, Gregor, Christopher Rensing, and
Marc Solioz. “Metallic Copper as an Antimicrobial Surface.” Applied and
Environmental Microbiology 77.5 (2011): 1541–1547. PMC. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.
Additionally, Copper has been found to project a “Halo Effect” to surrounding surfaces.
Copper is able to do this through the process of Coordinate Covalent Bonds. There is
some donating of electrons, but in short, the valence electron cloud of Cu casts a large
enough presence that other surfaces gain antibacterial qualities. Research implemented
in the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) at Aghia Sofia Children's Hospital in Greece
4
Chemistry at Work: Renewable Healthcare
showed that non-copper surfaces up to 50 centimeters from the antimicrobial
copper surfaces exhibited a microbial reduction of 70% compared to surfaces not in
such close proximity. The halo effect was first observed during in trials at a US
outpatient clinic in 2010. BBH. "Research Reveals 'halo' Effect of Copper Surfaces."
Research Reveals Halo Effect of Copper Surfaces. HPCi Media Limited, 24 Jan. 2013.
Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
In closing, Copper has multiple benefits in the Hospital setting to combat the spread of
antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. Copper’s ability to be affective against multiple
organisms makes it an ideal metal to use in the healthcare setting and one that can be
100% recycled when needed. The use of copper in healthcare not only reduces the use of
expensive antibiotics, it also functions as a type of preventative medicine. By reducing
the parthenogenesis and in some cases completely killing surface bacteria, Cu is effective
in drastically reducing hospital-acquired infections. Because Cu continues to maintain its
bacteriostatic properties after repeated exposure, its mechanism of action is a source that
can be relied upon with minimal maintenance for many years. Thus, being a renewable
form of preventative healthcare for thousands of patients and employees.
5
Chemistry at Work: Renewable Healthcare Works Cited
DNews. "Copper Kills Hospital Bacteria." YouTube. YouTube, 18 Apr. 2013. Web. 01
European Copper Institute. "Antimicrobial Copper - Demonstration." YouTube.
YouTube, 4 Apr. 2011. Web. 01 Dec. 2015. Wikipedia contributors. "Antimicrobial
properties of copper."
BBH. "Research Reveals 'halo' Effect of Copper Surfaces." Research Reveals Halo
Effect of Copper Surfaces. HPCi Media Limited, 24 Jan. 2013. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
Aureus (MRSA) Infections." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, 10 Sept. 2013. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 10 Nov. 2014.
Web. 2 Dec. 2015.
Grass, Gregor, Christopher Rensing, and Marc Solioz. “Metallic Copper as an
Antimicrobial Surface.” Applied and Environmental Microbiology
77.5 (2011): 1541–1547. PMC. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.
Students: J. Borup
Chemistry 221: General Chemistry Fall-2015
Instructor: Randall K. Weese
ABSTRACT
Copper has been in continuous use for thousands of years, with an initial discovery date
estimated of 9000 B.C. Copper, Atomic number 29, is a transitional element found in
period four and is within the same group as silver and gold. Its antimicrobial and
biostatic properties make it an excellent choice for use in the hospital setting. There is
compelling evidence advocating for the expanded medical use of this transitional metal to
reduce the amount of hospital acquired staph infections that are proving harder to treat
due to their antibiotic resistance. In ancient times cultures such as the Romans, Aztecs
and Greeks used copper for its medicinal purposes and the disinfection of water. Copper
continues to be widely used as a conductor for electrical motors, multiple electrical
applications, potable water delivery, and even corrosion resistance for the hulls of ships.
In this paper we will be focusing on the health benefits of copper within the hospital
setting, its ‘halo effect’ and how copper is 100% recyclable without any loss in quality,
making copper an ideal choice for continued modern applications in the environmentally
conscious spectrum.
The oligodynamic effect was discovered in 1893 by Swiss botanist Karl Wilhelm von
Nägeli. The oligodynamic effect is basically the antimicrobial affect that certain metals
exhibit to effectively neutralize bacteria. In the hospital setting, common items such has
door knobs, hand rails and light switches contain millions of bacteria that are easily
1
Chemistry at Work: Renewable Healthcare
spread form person to person on contact. Because the exposure occurs in the hospital
setting, the bacteria are exposed, over time, to various cleaning agents and antibiotics.
Through this contact the bacteria can and do develop into antibacterial resistant strains
making them harder to treat and kill. In turn, this increases the cost of healthcare, the
suffering of the patient and workload on an already strained profession.
One common bacteria that is proving harder to treat is MRSA or Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus Aureus. Image source: http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/
2
Chemistry at Work: Renewable Healthcare
MRSA developed in hospital settings and in areas where there where close person-to-
person exposure in high transient areas. Hospitals, colleges, gyms and military training
centers are common sites for transmission. As you can see from the pictures this type of
bacteria grows rapidly, the site presents in a painful erythemic pustule or boil. Tissue can
become necrotic and if left untreated the bacteria can spread often creating ‘sinus tracts’
where there is essentially a tunnel of infection beneath the skin. Sites are treated by
incision and drainage; followed by twice-daily wound packing, wound irrigation and at
least 10-14 days of an antibiotic. Because MRSA has developed a tolerance for
3
Chemistry at Work: Renewable Healthcare
antibiotics there are limited resources for effective treatment. MRSA’s protein barrier
has evolved to effectively block out the mechanism of action of standard antibiotics.
Treatment usually requires confirmation by culture; testing MRSA against antibiotics in a
lab setting to see which one will work.
Copper’s mechanism of action works in multiple was to become toxic to the bacteria.
Starting with the protein barrier of the cell, copper’s ionic properties help to charge the
bacteria and punch holes in the membrane. It is strongly suspected that copper works in
the cells receptors and the Cu ions charge the cell in a type of oxidization reaction.
(A) Copper dissolves from the copper surface and causes cell damage. (B) The cell
membrane ruptures because of copper and other stress phenomena, leading to loss
of membrane potential and cytoplasmic content. (C) Copper ions induce the
generation of reactive oxygen species, which cause further cell damage. (D) Genomic
and plasmid DNA becomes degraded. Grass, Gregor, Christopher Rensing, and
Marc Solioz. “Metallic Copper as an Antimicrobial Surface.” Applied and
Environmental Microbiology 77.5 (2011): 1541–1547. PMC. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.
Additionally, Copper has been found to project a “Halo Effect” to surrounding surfaces.
Copper is able to do this through the process of Coordinate Covalent Bonds. There is
some donating of electrons, but in short, the valence electron cloud of Cu casts a large
enough presence that other surfaces gain antibacterial qualities. Research implemented
in the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) at Aghia Sofia Children's Hospital in Greece
4
Chemistry at Work: Renewable Healthcare
showed that non-copper surfaces up to 50 centimeters from the antimicrobial
copper surfaces exhibited a microbial reduction of 70% compared to surfaces not in
such close proximity. The halo effect was first observed during in trials at a US
outpatient clinic in 2010. BBH. "Research Reveals 'halo' Effect of Copper Surfaces."
Research Reveals Halo Effect of Copper Surfaces. HPCi Media Limited, 24 Jan. 2013.
Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
In closing, Copper has multiple benefits in the Hospital setting to combat the spread of
antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. Copper’s ability to be affective against multiple
organisms makes it an ideal metal to use in the healthcare setting and one that can be
100% recycled when needed. The use of copper in healthcare not only reduces the use of
expensive antibiotics, it also functions as a type of preventative medicine. By reducing
the parthenogenesis and in some cases completely killing surface bacteria, Cu is effective
in drastically reducing hospital-acquired infections. Because Cu continues to maintain its
bacteriostatic properties after repeated exposure, its mechanism of action is a source that
can be relied upon with minimal maintenance for many years. Thus, being a renewable
form of preventative healthcare for thousands of patients and employees.
5
Chemistry at Work: Renewable Healthcare Works Cited
DNews. "Copper Kills Hospital Bacteria." YouTube. YouTube, 18 Apr. 2013. Web. 01
European Copper Institute. "Antimicrobial Copper - Demonstration." YouTube.
YouTube, 4 Apr. 2011. Web. 01 Dec. 2015. Wikipedia contributors. "Antimicrobial
properties of copper."
BBH. "Research Reveals 'halo' Effect of Copper Surfaces." Research Reveals Halo
Effect of Copper Surfaces. HPCi Media Limited, 24 Jan. 2013. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
Aureus (MRSA) Infections." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, 10 Sept. 2013. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 10 Nov. 2014.
Web. 2 Dec. 2015.
Grass, Gregor, Christopher Rensing, and Marc Solioz. “Metallic Copper as an
Antimicrobial Surface.” Applied and Environmental Microbiology
77.5 (2011): 1541–1547. PMC. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.
|
|
3
Chemistry at Work: Renewable Healthcare
antibiotics there are limited resources for effective treatment. MRSA’s protein barrier
has evolved to effectively block out the mechanism of action of standard antibiotics.
Treatment usually requires confirmation by culture; testing MRSA against antibiotics in a
lab setting to see which one will work.
Copper’s mechanism of action works in multiple was to become toxic to the bacteria.
Starting with the protein barrier of the cell, copper’s ionic properties help to charge the
bacteria and punch holes in the membrane. It is strongly suspected that copper works in
the cells receptors and the Cu ions charge the cell in a type of oxidization reaction.
(A) Copper dissolves from the copper surface and causes cell damage. (B) The cell
membrane ruptures because of copper and other stress phenomena, leading to loss
of membrane potential and cytoplasmic content. (C) Copper ions induce the
generation of reactive oxygen species, which cause further cell damage. (D) Genomic
and plasmid DNA becomes degraded. Grass, Gregor, Christopher Rensing, and
Marc Solioz. “Metallic Copper as an Antimicrobial Surface.” Applied and
Environmental Microbiology 77.5 (2011): 1541–1547. PMC. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.
Additionally, Copper has been found to project a “Halo Effect” to surrounding surfaces.
Copper is able to do this through the process of Coordinate Covalent Bonds. There is
some donating of electrons, but in short, the valence electron cloud of Cu casts a large
enough presence that other surfaces gain antibacterial qualities. Research implemented
in the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) at Aghia Sofia Children's Hospital in Greece
4
Chemistry at Work: Renewable Healthcare
showed that non-copper surfaces up to 50 centimeters from the antimicrobial
copper surfaces exhibited a microbial reduction of 70% compared to surfaces not in
such close proximity. The halo effect was first observed during in trials at a US
outpatient clinic in 2010. BBH. "Research Reveals 'halo' Effect of Copper Surfaces."
Research Reveals Halo Effect of Copper Surfaces. HPCi Media Limited, 24 Jan. 2013.
Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
In closing, Copper has multiple benefits in the Hospital setting to combat the spread of
antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. Copper’s ability to be affective against multiple
organisms makes it an ideal metal to use in the healthcare setting and one that can be
100% recycled when needed. The use of copper in healthcare not only reduces the use of
expensive antibiotics, it also functions as a type of preventative medicine. By reducing
the parthenogenesis and in some cases completely killing surface bacteria, Cu is effective
in drastically reducing hospital-acquired infections. Because Cu continues to maintain its
bacteriostatic properties after repeated exposure, its mechanism of action is a source that
can be relied upon with minimal maintenance for many years. Thus, being a renewable
form of preventative healthcare for thousands of patients and employees.
5
Chemistry at Work: Renewable Healthcare Works Cited
DNews. "Copper Kills Hospital Bacteria." YouTube. YouTube, 18 Apr. 2013. Web. 01
European Copper Institute. "Antimicrobial Copper - Demonstration." YouTube.
YouTube, 4 Apr. 2011. Web. 01 Dec. 2015. Wikipedia contributors. "Antimicrobial
properties of copper."
BBH. "Research Reveals 'halo' Effect of Copper Surfaces." Research Reveals Halo
Effect of Copper Surfaces. HPCi Media Limited, 24 Jan. 2013. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
Aureus (MRSA) Infections." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, 10 Sept. 2013. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 10 Nov. 2014.
Web. 2 Dec. 2015.
Grass, Gregor, Christopher Rensing, and Marc Solioz. “Metallic Copper as an
Antimicrobial Surface.” Applied and Environmental Microbiology
77.5 (2011): 1541–1547. PMC. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.
Chemistry at Work: Renewable Healthcare
antibiotics there are limited resources for effective treatment. MRSA’s protein barrier
has evolved to effectively block out the mechanism of action of standard antibiotics.
Treatment usually requires confirmation by culture; testing MRSA against antibiotics in a
lab setting to see which one will work.
Copper’s mechanism of action works in multiple was to become toxic to the bacteria.
Starting with the protein barrier of the cell, copper’s ionic properties help to charge the
bacteria and punch holes in the membrane. It is strongly suspected that copper works in
the cells receptors and the Cu ions charge the cell in a type of oxidization reaction.
(A) Copper dissolves from the copper surface and causes cell damage. (B) The cell
membrane ruptures because of copper and other stress phenomena, leading to loss
of membrane potential and cytoplasmic content. (C) Copper ions induce the
generation of reactive oxygen species, which cause further cell damage. (D) Genomic
and plasmid DNA becomes degraded. Grass, Gregor, Christopher Rensing, and
Marc Solioz. “Metallic Copper as an Antimicrobial Surface.” Applied and
Environmental Microbiology 77.5 (2011): 1541–1547. PMC. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.
Additionally, Copper has been found to project a “Halo Effect” to surrounding surfaces.
Copper is able to do this through the process of Coordinate Covalent Bonds. There is
some donating of electrons, but in short, the valence electron cloud of Cu casts a large
enough presence that other surfaces gain antibacterial qualities. Research implemented
in the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) at Aghia Sofia Children's Hospital in Greece
4
Chemistry at Work: Renewable Healthcare
showed that non-copper surfaces up to 50 centimeters from the antimicrobial
copper surfaces exhibited a microbial reduction of 70% compared to surfaces not in
such close proximity. The halo effect was first observed during in trials at a US
outpatient clinic in 2010. BBH. "Research Reveals 'halo' Effect of Copper Surfaces."
Research Reveals Halo Effect of Copper Surfaces. HPCi Media Limited, 24 Jan. 2013.
Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
In closing, Copper has multiple benefits in the Hospital setting to combat the spread of
antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. Copper’s ability to be affective against multiple
organisms makes it an ideal metal to use in the healthcare setting and one that can be
100% recycled when needed. The use of copper in healthcare not only reduces the use of
expensive antibiotics, it also functions as a type of preventative medicine. By reducing
the parthenogenesis and in some cases completely killing surface bacteria, Cu is effective
in drastically reducing hospital-acquired infections. Because Cu continues to maintain its
bacteriostatic properties after repeated exposure, its mechanism of action is a source that
can be relied upon with minimal maintenance for many years. Thus, being a renewable
form of preventative healthcare for thousands of patients and employees.
5
Chemistry at Work: Renewable Healthcare Works Cited
DNews. "Copper Kills Hospital Bacteria." YouTube. YouTube, 18 Apr. 2013. Web. 01
European Copper Institute. "Antimicrobial Copper - Demonstration." YouTube.
YouTube, 4 Apr. 2011. Web. 01 Dec. 2015. Wikipedia contributors. "Antimicrobial
properties of copper."
BBH. "Research Reveals 'halo' Effect of Copper Surfaces." Research Reveals Halo
Effect of Copper Surfaces. HPCi Media Limited, 24 Jan. 2013. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
Aureus (MRSA) Infections." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, 10 Sept. 2013. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 10 Nov. 2014.
Web. 2 Dec. 2015.
Grass, Gregor, Christopher Rensing, and Marc Solioz. “Metallic Copper as an
Antimicrobial Surface.” Applied and Environmental Microbiology
77.5 (2011): 1541–1547. PMC. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.
