Kliks and handles COBRA CU+ protect against bacteria and viruses

Copper surfaces provide the most effective antimicrobial protection by killing 99.9% of microbes that adhere to their surface within two hours. Research has shown that antimicrobial copper surfaces can reduce the risk of infections by more than 40%.

KEY BENEFITS OF ANTIMICROBIAL COPPER DOOR HARDWARE

• Scientifically proven effectiveness of CU+. The material used is significantly more effective than silver.
• The effect is continuous and independent of the external environment (humidity, light, etc.).
• The handle remains effective even after repeated wet and dry abrasion and repeated contamination.
• Natural oxidation of the handle does not reduce antibacterial efficacy.
• CU+ is fully recyclable.
• The only solid metal surface approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

What is meant by "antimicrobial agent"?

"An antimicrobial agent" refers to the ability of a material to eliminate or inactivate microbes, such as bacteria, fungi (including molds), and viruses. Studies on antimicrobial efficacy on various surfaces have clearly demonstrated that copper and its alloys can eliminate many types of microbes, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridium difficile, the influenza A virus (~ 1N1), and Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteria.

Have any official bodies approved the antimicrobial efficacy of copper?

Yes. On February 29, 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officially registered 275 copper alloys with positive public health properties, subsequently registering 7 more. The significance of this registration lies in the fact that the EPA recognizes the antimicrobial properties of the registered materials and acknowledges that they have positive attributes for public health.

Has copper been tested in clinical trials?

Yes, clinical trials are currently taking place in hospitals worldwide, evaluating the impact of copper touch surfaces on the number of microbes in the hospital environment. In the UK, Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham, part of the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust, was chosen as a testing center for this new approach to infection prevention. The first results of the study were published in the Journal of Hospital Infection as early as January 2010 and convincingly showed that copper acts as an antimicrobial agent in real environments, and that copper-containing surfaces had 90 to 100% less bacterial contamination than control surfaces made of conventional materials.

Does it make sense to use CU+ products outside of healthcare settings?

"Handles and grips are understandably most used in public spaces in places with a significant risk of virus transmission - schools, hotels, stadium toilets, or restaurants," says Kristina Boda, director of COBRA. "However, CU+ handles also find their place in private projects, especially in bathrooms, toilets, and children's rooms."

"We believe that the current situation will enable architects and builders to incorporate elements into new projects that help manage epidemiological risks and raise the hygiene standards of new buildings significantly," adds Kristina Boda.

For more questions and answers, visit www.matekliku.cz