In February 2014 over 50 water bottle filling stations made from antimicrobial copper can be found throughout the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta.
The filling stations were provided by Oasis Water and manufactured from EPA-registered copper alloys supplied by Hussey Copper. The dispensers will help cut down on plastic waste while also providing continuous antimicrobial protection to those who use them. Copper alloys are also completely recyclable making this a truly sustainable and practical innovation.
The water bottle filling stations are produced by Hussey Copper made with MD-Cu 29 Antimicrobial Copper. As an integrated manufacturer, Hussey Copper manages the entire supply chain and fabrication process and offers a wide variety of products.
Copper and copper alloys are engineering materials that are durable, colourful and recyclable and are widely available in various product forms suitable for a range of manufacturing purposes. Copper and its alloys offer a suite of materials for designers of functional, sustainable and cost-effective products.
Some specific copper alloys have intrinsic antimicrobial properties (so-called ‘Antimicrobial Copper’) and products made from these materials have an additional, secondary benefit of contributing to hygienic design. Products made from Antimicrobial Copper are a supplement to, not a substitute for standard infection control practices. It is important that current hygiene practices are continued, including those related to the cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces.
*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.