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benefits of copper leaching.

updated mon 18 apr 05

 

Lee Love on sun 17 apr 05


URL Krueger wrote:

> I found an article on the web a while back about a study of
> hospital door push plates. They found that by using copper
> instead of stainless steel the number of viable bacteria on
> the push plate was dramatically reduced. Not many
> hospitals were switching though because the copper develops
> a patina and people think it is dirty.



URL, I thought of another solution for door plates that would not
require Brasso! The door push plates could be ceramic and have a
copper matt glaze on them. Hahah!. Sounds like a new business for
someone. ;-)

--
Lee in Mashiko, Japan http://mashiko.org
http://hankos.blogspot.com/ Visual Bookmarks

Lee Love on sun 17 apr 05


URL Krueger wrote:

>I found an article on the web a while back about a study of
>hospital door push plates. They found that by using copper
>instead of stainless steel the number of viable bacteria on
>the push plate was dramatically reduced. Not many
>hospitals were switching though because the copper develops
>a patina and people think it is dirty.
>
>
Url, the report I hear said that bronze also leaches
beneficial copper. It might be easier to keep looking nice. Being a
Vet, you are certainly familiar with Brasso. :-) I have noticed
that at my doctor's office, that their emesis basin is bronze or
brass. I always wondered why they didn't use stainless or plastic,
but this research explains why it might be preferred.

Copper in glazes was originally singled out in green lead
glazes, where the presence of copper helped leach lead. An
"unscientific" process has somehow transfered this over to all copper
glazes.

I have made dog water bowls for some time. I am thinking
that it might be good from a health standpoint, to create a liner glaze
for these bowls with standing water, with copper in it to help keep
bacteria at bay.

--
Lee in Mashiko, Japan http://mashiko.org
http://hankos.blogspot.com/ Visual Bookmarks

"We can make our minds
so like still water
that beings gather about us
that they may see,...
....their own images, and so live for a moment with a clearer,
perhaps even with a fiercer life
because of our quiet." -- W. B. Yeats