Contact with Copper May Kill E. coli.NEW YORK--(BW HealthWire)--July 1, 1998--Preliminary research by the Center for Applied Microbiology and Research (CAMR CAMR Clean Air Mercury Rule CAMR Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research CAMR Camera CAMR Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research CAMR Colin Archer Memorial Race (Netherlands to Norway sailing race) ), located in Wiltshire, U.K., indicates the disease-causing bacterium, E. coli E. coli: see Escherichia coli. E. coli in full Escherichia coli Species of bacterium that inhabits the stomach and intestines. E. coli can be transmitted by water, milk, food, or flies and other insects. O157, is killed within hours of its contact with copper surfaces, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. an announcement made here today by the International Copper Association, sponsor of the study. Dr. Chris Lee, ICA's director of health and environmental services, said these early findings are exciting because they may offer a convenient and significant way to contain outbreaks of food- and waterborne disease around the world. "Tens of thousands of cases of bacterial gastroenteritis and numerous deaths may be prevented." Lee said further, peer-reviewed research is needed before these findings can be confirmed. The research will also investigate whether copper plumbing could reduce or eliminate E. coli O157 found in drinking water drinking water supply of water available to animals for drinking supplied via nipples, in troughs, dams, ponds and larger natural water sources; an insufficient supply leads to dehydration; it can be the source of infection, e.g. leptospirosis, salmonellosis, or of poisoning, e.g. . Previous research shows copper plumbing can inhibit nontoxic strains of E. coli. Completion of the CAMR study is expected by the end of 1999. Robert M. Payne, president of the Copper Development Association in the United States, points out that the survival of Escherichia coli Escherichia coli (ĕsh'ərĭk`ēə kō`lī), common bacterium that normally inhabits the intestinal tracts of humans and animals, but can cause infection in other parts of the body, especially the urinary tract. O157 on work surfaces used for food preparation in domestic kitchens, restaurants and slaughterhouses can increase the risk of cross contamination cross contamination Medical practice The passsage of pathogens indirectly from one Pt to another due to use of improper sterilization procedures, unclean instruments, or recycling of products . He says the potential benefit of using copper surfaces to contain E. coli O157 contamination is tremendously exciting. The bacteria-killing properties of copper have been know for many thousands of years and are mentioned in the records of early civilizations. More recently, research funded by ICA Ica (ē`kä), city (1993 pop. 108,724), capital of Ica dept., SW Peru, on the Pan-American Highway. It is a commercial center for the cotton, wool, and wine produced in the region. There are several summer resorts nearby. and the Water Quality Center of Thames Water Utilities Ltd., has shown that pathogens such as the Polio virus, opportunistic Legionella pneumophila, Pseudomonas Pseudomonas A genus of gram-negative, nonsporeforming, rod-shaped bacteria. Motile species possess polar flagella. They are strictly aerobic, but some members do respire anaerobically in the presence of nitrate. flourescens, Bacillus subtilis and the Bateriophage M2 are inhibited by passage through copper plumbing tube. In hospitals, copper based paint, brass door knobs and push plates have been shown to help reduce cross contamination. The Copper Development Association is the information, education and technical development arm of the copper, brass and bronze industry in the United States. The International Copper Association, Ltd., provides annual grants of more than $3,000,000 in an effort to better understand the important role of copper in human health and the environment.
CONTACTS: Ken Geremia, CDA,
212-251-7200
or
Catherine Bolton, ICA,
212-251-7249
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