Q: I’ve read that copper has antimicrobial properties. Does brass have the same properties?
A: The surfaces of copper and its alloys, such as brass and bronze, are antimicrobial, which means they can prevent frequently touched surfaces from serving as reservoirs for the spread of pathogenic microbes.
This is especially beneficial in hospitals and other healthcare facilities where harmful viruses, bacteria, and fungi colonize and persist on doorknobs, railings, faucet handles, etc. These microbes can often survive on surfaces for more than 30 days. However, copper and its alloys have an inherent ability to kill a wide range of these harmful microbes often within two hours or less, and with a high degree of efficiency.
