EPA REGISTRATION FOR ANTIMICROBIAL COPPER TOUCH SURFACES

U.S. EPA approved protocols - Antimicrobial Copper Touch Surfaces are registered as public health antimicrobial products by U.S. EPA. EPA registration acknowledges the efficacy of Antimicrobial Copper products such as MD-CU₂₉1 against the six following disease-causing bacteria:

• E. coli O157:H7, a food-borne pathogen that has been associated with large-scale food recalls
• Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), one of the most virulent strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and a constant culprit to patient safety and quality in healthcare environments
• Staphylococcus aureus, the most common of all bacterial staphylococcus (i.e. staph) infections that can cause life-threatening diseases, including pneumonia and meningitis
• Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE), an antibiotic resistant organism responsible for 4% of all Healthcare-Associated Infection
• Enterobacter aerogenes, a pathogenic bacterium commonly found in hospitals that causes opportunistic skin infections and impacts other body tissues
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium that infects the pulmonary tracts, urinary tracts, blood, and skin of immunocompromised individuals.

Continuously kills bacteria*

Antimicrobial Copper Touch Surfaces are the first and currently only solid metal antimicrobial touch surfaces registered by EPA.

Bacteria that threaten patient health can survive on other metal or plastic surfaces for weeks or even months. Antimicrobial Copper Touch Surfaces are the only touch surfaces registered by the EPA to continuously kill greater than 99.9% of bacteria* that cause hospital acquired infections and degrade hygiene in hospitals.  MD-CU₂₉1 Antimicrobial Copper has passed all EPA testing protocols and is permitted by the EPA to make specific antimicrobial public health claims regarding infection control in healthcare environments.

 Antimicrobial Copper surfaces should be cleaned and sanitized regularly according to standard practices, just like other surfaces.

 Antimicrobial Copper surfaces may be subject to recontamination and the level of active bacteria at any particular time will depend on the frequency and timing of recontamination and cleanliness of the surface (among other factors).

 Antimicrobial Copper surfaces must not be waxed, painted, lacquered, varnished, or otherwise coated.

 Routine cleaning to remove dirt and filth is necessary for good hygiene and to ensure the effective antimicrobial performance of the copper alloy surface. Cleaning agents typically used for traditional touch surfaces are permissible and should be used in accordance with the product label.  The appropriate cleaning agent depends on the type of soiling and the measure of sanitization required. Normal tarnishing or wear of Antimicrobial Copper surfaces will not impair the antimicrobial effectiveness of the product as the antimicrobial property is inherent to the bulk materials.

 These products are not approved for use in any form that has direct food contact or as food packaging.

 Antimicrobial Copper surfaces may be used in hospitals, other healthcare facilities, and various public, commercial, and residential buildings for approved non-food contact surfaces. Surfaces that may be exposed to outdoor environmental conditions (e.g. handrails, shopping carts, and ATM machines) are not representative of indoor laboratory test conditions, and therefore, may impart reduced efficacy if not cleaned when visibly soiled.

*Laboratory testing shows that, when cleaned regularly, antimicrobial copper surfaces kill greater than 99.9% of the following bacteria within 2 hours of exposure: MRSA, VRE, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and E. coli O157:H7. Antimicrobial copper surfaces are a supplement to and not a substitute for standard infection control practices and have been shown to reduce microbial contamination, but do not necessarily prevent cross contamination or infections; users must continue to follow all current infection control practices.