Posted on 06/06/2011 7:37:19 PM PDT by bunkerhill7
Study Proves Copper May Prevent E. Coli Spread Drug Discovery & Development - June 03, 2011
Laboratory science conducted at the University of Southampton indicates a role for copper in preventing the spread of E. coli.
The World Health Organization suggests the E. coli outbreak in Germany, O104:H4, is a strain never seen before.
“A study looking at copper’s efficacy against new strains of E. coli has just been completed. Although it did not specifically look at O104, all the strains investigated have died rapidly on copper,” Bill Keevil, head of the Microbiology Group and director of the Environmental Healthcare Unit at the university, explains:
On a dry copper surface, the study shows 10 million E. coli bacteria are eliminated within 10 minutes. On a wet copper surface, one could expect a total kill within around 45 minutes. This antimicrobial property is inherent to the metal, and shared with alloys such as brass and bronze.
Deployed as a touch surface in food preparation areas, copper will continuously kill any pathogens that settle on it, reducing the risk of cross-contamination, and helping to prevent the spread of infection, the researchers report.
Release Date: June 2, 2011 Source: University of Southampton
/johnny
Copper also accumulates in the liver, and when certain stressors trigger it, your liver dumps the copper in one event which then causes other organ failures and central nervous system failure. The syndrome is “Copper Toxicity”.
That is very interesting. I guess a trauma where the liver was injured could do this?
This is really nothing new; the organometallic properties of metals has been known for a long time. I remember learning about them back in the 70’s when I was going to college.
Metals like copper are, however, very good at poisoning metabolic certain pathways. If you have ever had a fish tank, you may have used a copper based treatment for algae or ick.
Interesting. Copper makes me green though.
Prima facie it seems that the increase of e coli outbreaks has paralled the changeover from copper to PVC plumbing.
Trace copper in tap water used to rinse vegetables killed e coli in the past?
I guess we’ll just start shooting anyone that gets infected. Problem solved.
Now`s a good time to invest in German copper colander stocks.
Copper is used extensively in wood preservation.
You have reminded me that I've got to brew up some silver ions tonight.
ping
I attribute the increse in e coli outbreaks to the modern tendency to "sanitize" virtually everything. Your immune system develops the ability to fight pathogens as it encounters them. If you kill all the germs in your environment, your immune system never has to learn how to deal with them. You never hear about somebody who works around animals and animal manure getting sick from e coli - it's always some city dweller.
The kidneys and liver hang onto most metals for us. It's when they let go and release them into the bloodstream that all bad things come to visit.
Doesn’t silver do it as well?
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