The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) pandemic is becoming a reality. The quarantine authorities are even recommending a fourth vaccine to those in their 50s or older. It is time to emphasize personal hygiene again. The use of antibacterial products is on the rise again. However, in May of this year, an overseas study showed that hand sanitizer used in daily life increases resistance to antibacterial agents. Therefore, interest in safe antibacterial materials is growing.
Copper, which is used in various industries and daily life such as electricity, electronics, communication, automobile, aviation, and space, has high antibacterial properties to eradicate harmful bacteria and microorganisms, and has been used for human health for a long time. Hippocrates, the ‘father of medicine’, used copper to treat varicose veins and foot ulcers. In Korea, copper has been used as a tableware for a long time by focusing on the characteristics of copper sterilizing food poisoning bacteria and reacting to toxic substances.
The antibacterial effect of copper has been widely known in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis for more than two years. Various lifestyle prevention products using copper are also being introduced. The wearable antibacterial patch developed for the first time in the world by the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology in June of this year together with the University of Tokyo in Japan and the Korea Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute also used copper for its antibacterial function.
Even in modern times, research results have been consistently published that copper is effective in preventing infection and preventing daily life. In March 2020, immediately after the outbreak of COVID-19, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) etc. reported that if the Corona 19 virus comes into contact with a copper surface, 50% within 1 hour and within 4 hours (90 for influenza virus) minutes) to the extent of announcing a study result that it completely disappears. According to these research results, hospitals in developed countries such as the US, UK, and France are preemptively introducing copper. In Japan, there are hospitals that use antibacterial copper wherever people come into contact with them. In Korea, there is a case of demonstrating the intensive care unit of Asan Medical Center in Seoul and the establishment of a pediatric cancer ward at Severance Hospital.
Although copper has such excellent antibacterial properties, the antibacterial copper products that we easily encounter in our daily life are antibacterial copper films and masks.
However, the field where the antibacterial properties of copper can actually play a role is public facilities used by the general public. According to the Central Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters, the Corona 19 virus survives for 24 hours on cloth and wood and 4 days on stainless steel and plastic. Viruses and bacteria are mostly transmitted through contact with contaminated objects. Therefore, facilities used by sensitive groups such as hospitals, pharmacies, dentists, senior care facilities, and postpartum care centers, multi-use facilities such as restaurants, cafes, public transportation, and educational facilities such as schools, private institutes, and daycare centers are equipped with antibacterial facilities and systems. It is necessary to protect the health of users and prevent damage from secondary infection. The government should also establish a preemptive living environment that can prevent and prevent the spread of infection through the government’s interest and support for the establishment of antibacterial facilities.
COVID-19 continues to create mutations. In this era, prevention of daily life and personal hygiene are of the utmost importance. If companies, institutions, and the government install copper antibacterial public facilities with excellent antibacterial properties and reliability, it will be an effective measure to maintain safe indoor living and prevent future infections.
Yuhan Jong, President, Korea Branch, International Copper Association
ken@heraldcorp.com
