Anuario Brasileiro do Cobre | Brazilian Copper Yearbook 2018

2018 Anuário Brasileiro do Cobre Brazilian Copper Yearbook 48 It´s a brand created by International Copper Association ICA to integrate the production chain and to cause interest by component manufacturers to work with application of this noble metal, or with alloys containing antimicrobial copper, and guide them to the development of this market. Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Peru have already started the intervention processes with Cu+ at places with high traffic and flow of people, as educational institutions, airports, subway or train stations and especially hospitals. In following, we show the results from the undertaken experiences. The antimicrobial copper in numbers - The tax of infection in the Intensive Care Units (ICU) was reduced by 58% with the substitution of six contact surfaces with copper. 97% of the contamination was reduced due to the copper surfaces, in comparison to surfaces made with other materials. 99% of the bacteria that can cause infections associated to health care are eliminated with copper and its antimicrobial alloys. 100% of the copper is recyclable. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has registered 479 copper alloys as products that promote benefits to the public health. 10 years of clinical and lab investigation support the antimicrobial efficiency of copper. One global network of non-for-profit organizations and commercial companies advises the use of copper to fight infections, organizations that are united through the industry administration scheme “Antimicrobial Copper Cu+” Brazil 10,000 people benefit from the action of the antimicrobial copper Public Transport | Congonhas Airport - The Congonhas Airport, in São Paulo, is the second with the largest passengers’ traffic in Brazil: it´s located at the center-south region of the city. In December of 2011, it was remodeled with the construction of a garage building that allowed the expansion of the number of parking lots to 4,000 vehicles that implies traffic of 10,000 people per day. With support by the copper industry, the Project was designed to be developed in 2 phases. The first was the substitution of 140 meters of the former stainless steel grids from the entrance. Then, antimicrobial copper was applied from the parking lot until the terminal. For that, the local manufacturers replaced the former bars by others made with antimicrobial copper; afterwards, the public service counters that were built in aluminum were replaced by copper; finally, the elevators’ protection received copper providing a safety space for thousands of passengers, and at the same time providing a new esthetic aspect. The stainless steel handrails with high levels of bacteria, of about 800 cfu (colony-forming units) per 25 cm2; with copper made handrails there was a significant reduction of the bacteria quantity on these surfaces, previously contaminated with various microorganisms eliminated by the application of the antimicrobial capacity of copper. Health centers | Endodontic center Nobayashi in São Paulo - The dental center of the dental practitioner Cristina Nobayashi in São Paulo pioneered the use of antimicrobial copper that will assure health to her patients through this new safety and hygiene level. Previously, the contact surfaces were covered with a plastic film to prevent the concentration of bacteria. Nowadays, all of these surfaces, drawers, door handles, and light switches, are made of antimicrobial copper. Thus, it´s guaranteed to have a germ-free space. Their patients are not only thankful for the health care, but also for the beauty of the design. Chile In the vanguard of the use of antimicrobial copper Hospital centers - The studies to determine the bactericidal qualities of copper are dated from 2008. By the time it was established that it was bactericidal, it was decided to implement a test in hospitals that would allow a measure the impact of copper´s surfaces in the reduction of nosocomial infections. For this test, intensive health care units were chosen in the United States, England, Germany, Japan and Chile. Then, the Santiago Allende de Calama Hospital was elected as one of the eight SAÚDE HEALTH