"Clinical evidence to be unveiled Friday is expected to show hospitals can reduce infections by using copper touch-surfaces for everything from intravenous poles to over-the-patient tables, bed rails, door knobs and the nurse's call button," according to a story on Mineweb.com. They say that hospital-acquired infections are the fourth biggest cause of death in the United States behind heart disease, strokes and cancer. [photo credit, USGS]
Expect to see results from a 4-year study at 3 major hospitals. Copper producers report that anti-bacterial uses could consume up to one million tonnes of copper per year, about 5% of the world production. This could drive up demand which would benefit Arizona copper mines which produce about 2/3 of all the copper used in the U.S.