HEALTHY HARDWARE

FAQs

Q: How can I get a quote or place an order for this product?
A: We can provide you with a local distributor partner that is an authorized distributor.

Q: Does the hardware look like copper?
A: There are many different alloys available. Our main copper nickel alloy (Trimco finish code 710CU) has the appearance of stainless steel. Other alloys can be specially formulated and listed but additional charges would apply.

Q: Does Healthy Hardware look like a penny?
A: No, it looks closer to stainless steel than a penny.

Q: Will Healthy Hardware turn green?
A: No, because of the Nickel content of the substrate.

Q: How do I clean my copper hardware?
A: The Copper Alloy surface material has been shown to reduce microbial contamination, but it does not necessarily prevent cross-contamination.

Healthy Hardware Cleaning Information

Q: What is your manufacturing capacity?
A: Capacity is dependent on product type and demand.

Q: What health claims can be made by using these products?
A: Products made from Antimicrobial Copper can be marketed in the US with the following public health claims:

Laboratory testing has shown that when cleaned regularly:

  • This surface continuously reduces bacterial* contamination, achieving 99.9% reduction within two hours of exposure.
  • This surface kills greater than 99.9% of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria* within two hours of exposure.
  • This surface delivers continuous and ongoing antibacterial* action, remaining effective in killing greater than 99.9% of bacteria* within two hours.
  • This surface kills greater than 99.9% of bacteria* within two hours, and continues to kill more than 99% of bacteria* even after repeated contamination.
  • This surface helps inhibit the buildup and growth of bacteria* within two hours of exposure between routine cleaning and sanitizing steps.

*Peer reviewed scientific publications show Antimicrobial Copper to be effective against bacteria, viruses, fungi and molds, including MRSA, Influenza A (H1N1), Clostridium difficile and VRE.

Further work1 has demonstrated that Antimicrobial Copper outperforms two commercially available silver-containing coatings under typical indoor conditions.

A study2 on a busy medical ward at Selly Oak Hospital showed a 90-100% reduction in contamination on Antimicrobial Copper surfaces compared to surfaces made of conventional materials. Trials in the US and Chile confirm these results. Antimicrobial Copper surfaces are a supplement to, and not a substitute for, standard infection control practices and have been shown to reduce microbial contamination.

[1] Effects of temperature and humidity on the efficacy of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus challenged antimicrobial materials containing silver and copper. H T Michels, J O Noyce and C W Keevil, Letters in Applied Microbiology, 49 (2009) 191-195.

[2] Role of copper in reducing hospital environment contamination. A L Casey, D Adams, T J Karpanen, P A Lambert, B D Cookson, P Nightingale, L Miruszenko, R Shillam, P Christian and T S J Elliott, J Hosp Infect (2009).