Coronavirus: Scientists add copper to their arsenal after study reveals it might be toxic
Scientists have added a new weapon in the fight against the new coronavirus: copper. They are exploring ways in which they can add the metal to their arsenal.
The metal is in the spotlight, thanks to a recent NEJM study. In it, scientists describe detecting the new coronavirus on copper surfaces for up to four hours.
By comparison, the virus stayed for three days on plastic and stainless steel and 24 hours on cardboard. The study prompted scientists to look at how copper can aid in the fight.
What is more, the metal seems to be toxic to other coronaviruses such as MERS and SARS, both of which are closely related to the new coronavirus. An earlier study had suggested it can keep the coronaviruses from spreading.
From exploring copper-based drugs to designing stickers and facemasks, here are some of the developments.
The NEJM study grabbed the attention of researchers from the University of Arizona. They are now hoping to study whether copper-based drugs can stop the virus.
Michael Johnson, a researcher, has some experience with copper, studying its toxic effects on the notorious staph bacteria or MRSA, a superbug that killed nearly 120,000 Americans in 2017.
He believes copper can target a key coronavirus protein called the spike. Without the spike protein, the virus can't enter and infect human cells.
Johnson and his colleagues are planning on testing its toxicity against another virus that closely mimics the new coronavirus. "Ultimately, if we’re successful with our preliminary vetting, we will move forward with testing these compounds directly on SARS-CoV-2,” said Johnson in a statement.
For eons, people have been using copper against microorganisms. "Copper has been exploited for health purposes since ancient times. Egyptian and Babylonian soldiers would sharpen their bronze swords (an alloy of copper and tin) after a battle, and place the filings in their wounds to reduce infection and speed healing," Bill Keevil from the University of Southampton, wrote for The Conversation.
One previous study has found that when copper is used in some form in regularly touched surfaces in busy wards and intensive care units, it reduces 90% of the bacteria on those surfaces.
Yet, hospitals do not deploy them. According to Keevil, many hospitals are unaware of its usefulness. Another factor discouraging its use could be the cost. "Hospitals may perceive hand-gel dispensers as cheaper options, even though these gels do not all kill all microbes – including the norovirus," he said.
What is more, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has repeatedly shown that antimicrobial copper surfaces kill 6 specific strains of bacteria which also cause illnesses in humans, according to Dr. Emily Hunt from West Texas A&M Univerisity. "Frankly, we do not understand why the public and the medical profession have been so slow to adopt simple, proven, safe US-sourced technology that provides such a dramatic deactivation of harmful pathogens," Hunt told MEAWW
Keeping these factors in mind, a research group from West Texas A&M has developed copper stickers. Hospitals can paste these stickers on commonly touched surfaces like door handles.
The group is yet to evaluate whether the product is toxic to the new coronavirus. “The stickers are made with a copper-alloy that has been proven to kill 99.9 of harmful pathogens, like MSRA, and E. coli within two hours,” Engineering Dean Emily Hunt said in a statement. "Soon, they will be tested against other pathogens, including COVID-19," she added.
"In addition to copper stickers, copper sheeting can be used to create products that are inherently antimicrobial, specialized techniques can also be used to coat surfaces with a copper spray to produce durable copper surfaces on complex geometries," Dr. Hunt said.
An Israeli start-up—Sonovia Ltd—has developed a facemask made of a fabric containing copper and zinc oxides. These fabrics, according to them, retains its anti-bacterial property even after 100 wash cycles at 75 degrees Celsius or 65 wash cycles at 92 degrees Celsius.
A lab is Singapore is reportedly testing these masks. “Sonovia Ltd. is determined to use its novel technology for the good of the State of Israel,” the company said in a release. “In this crucial period, it is hoped that our efforts will help curtail the number of clinical cases of Coronavirus we see in Israel in the upcoming weeks and months," it added.