Antimicrobial copper-alloy touch surfaces follows: The following claims are now legally permitted when marketing EPA-registered antimicrobial copper alloys in the U.S.: The registrations state that “antimicrobial copper alloys may be used in hospitals, other healthcare facilities, and various public, commercial and residential buildings.” The EPA copper alloy registrations were granted “with public health claims,” meaning that they permit manufacturers of copper-based products sold in the U.S. to claim on their labels the ability of copper, brass, and bronze to kill harmful, potentially deadly bacteria. As a condition of registration established by EPA, the Copper Development Association (CDA) in the U.S. is responsible for the
Antimicrobial copper-alloy touch surfaces in April 2011 analyzed the effectiveness of copper-alloy furnishings to lessen the microbial load on various frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, toilet seats, and railings. Of the 14 surfaces tested 8 had statistically significant decreases in the number of microbes found on them while the other 6 had a decrease in the number of microbes as well, but not in a statistically significant amount. Additionally certain microbes in particular were found in far less quantities on the copper-alloy surfaces than on the normal ones, these being Vancomycin-resistant "Enterococcus", "Staphylococcus aureus", and Coliform bacteria. The study concluded that copper