Metal alloys containing copper can destroy human norovirus, according to a study in the American Society for Microbiology journal.
In the Applied and Environmental Microbiology study, the authors that a variety of copper surfaces had a major impact on the virus, whereas the virus was very stable on stainless steel surfaces.
Ten minutes’ exposure was sufficient to kill the receptor-binding ability of human norovirus virus-like particles, an effect that was not observed on the stainless steel surfaces, the article on the American Society for Microbiology website said.
“Perhaps these copper surfaces can be used on high touch surfaces, like door knobs, hand rails, and so forth, to prevent environmental transmission of the virus,” the study's author said.
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