Sweat hurts anti-bacterial brass surfaces

A new study shows sweat can cause corrosion of the protective qualities of brass surfaces - such as doorknobs - that contain bacteria-fighting copper


A new study shows sweat can cause corrosion of the protective qualities of brass surfaces — such as doorknobs — that contain bacteria-fighting copper, according to an article on the Becker Hospital Review website.

Within an hour of contact with brass, human sweat can produce corrosion that negatively impacts its ability to kill a range of microorganisms, the article said.

"My short term advice is to keep the brass in public environments free from corrosion through regular and thorough cleaning. In the longer term, using copper alloys with corrosion inhibitors included in the alloy would be a good choice," according to study author John Bond, OBE, from the University of Leicester's Department of Chemistry.

Read the article.

 



June 27, 2014


Topic Area: Environmental Services


Recent Posts

Preparing Healthcare Facilities for Wildfire Air Quality Events

Wildfire smoke puts pressure on mechanical systems already working hard to maintain controlled indoor environments.


UW Health Set to Open Expansion at East Madison Hospital

The $140 million project adds 120,000 square feet to the hospital, expanding its footprint to roughly 620,000 square feet.


Central Ohio Primary Care Physicians Falls Victim to Cyberattack

While the full extent of the incident is still under review, our initial investigation discovered that there are approximately 1.4 million individuals impacted.


The Role of Biophilic Design in Healthcare Facilities

Nature-inspired design can support staff well-being and create more welcoming, human-centered healthcare environments.


TriStar Centennial Medical Center Invests $90M in Women, Children's Hospital Expansions

The multi-year project will bring significant improvements to both hospitals.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.