EPA Registers Copper Surfaces for Use Against Coronavirus

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have accepted the registration of copper surfaces for use against coronavirus and other viruses. The EPA have previously approved their use against bacteria.

As a result of EPA’s approval, products containing these copper alloys can now be sold and distributed with claims that they kill certain viruses that come into contact with them. Testing to demonstrate this effectiveness was conducted on harder-to-kill viruses.

This is the first time that any metal has achieved this antibacterial and antiviral distinction and the new ruling, in accepting long term residual activity against the COVID-19 virus and other important viruses opens the way for the mass application of copper alloys and coatings in many areas of society.

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Prof Bill KeeviI, NBIC and University of Southampton co-investigator said,

“I am delighted that our contribution of data to US EPA has helped lead to them recognising copper alloys as anti-coronavirus and more broadly as anti-viral surfaces. Antimicrobial copper surfaces have already been used in hospitals, reducing infection rated by over 58%, and also transport systems worldwide. Prevention Is better than cure, particularly when there is no cure, and deploying copper alloy surfaces working 24/7 buys time while new vaccines and therapeutic interventions can be developed against viruses, their emerging variants and antimicrobial resistant superbugs”.

For more information on how copper alloy products can be used against viruses, see EPA’s website or the product’s label in the Pesticide Product and Label System.