House of Brass Discusses the Benefits of Brass in the War on Superbugs

NOTTINGHAM, U.K. - Feb. 18, 2016 - PRLog -- House of Brass, a Nottingham based architectural fittings specialist, has rekindled an interest in research conducted back in 2012 that could have very relevant benefits today.

The research stated the problem lay in the bacteria of the superbugs that were affecting hospital patients at the time, saying that it can even leave infected DNA that is resistant to antibiotics and antibacterial cleaning products, making it really hard to wipe them out.

The antibiotic resistance of a single bacterium multiplies and passes on the resistance to any other bacteria it comes in contact with. The infections can therefore be spread through touching contaminated objects such as door handles, taps and other surfaces, as well as through infected linen and interpersonal contact.

However, the research shows that copper, brass and other copper alloys can actually destroy the bacteria and the DNA it leaves behind on its surfaces. This is unlike the stainless steel or plastic that is commonly used in hospitals, public conveniences and other public areas. Therefore changing to brass and copper surfaces and fixtures and fittings in these places could cut the risk.

Research Reported by the University of Southampton
Professor Bill Keevil is Chair in Environmental Healthcare, Principal Investigator (Microbiology & environmental health), and Director of the Environmental Healthcare Unit at Southampton University. He said, “There are a lot of bugs on our hands that we are spreading around by touching surfaces. In a public building or mass transport, surfaces cannot be cleaned for long periods of time. Until relatively recently brass was a relatively commonly used surface. On stainless steel surfaces these bacteria can survive for weeks, but on copper surfaces they die within minutes. Part of the process DNA from bacteria is also destroyed just as rapidly on the copper, so you cannot get gene transfer on the surface.”

The University’s research was published in the journal, Molecular Genetics of Bacteria. It compared the behaviour of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and bacterial DNA at room temperature on surfaces of stainless steel and copper. That on the copper degraded rapidly while that on stainless steel remained active.

Responding to the Research
A House of Brass spokesperson says, “It is high time to take note and start changing the fixtures and fitting in hospitals and other public places. It may even save lives, as well as easily pay for itself in savings from not having to treat the tens of thousands of people who contract the superbugs.

“Meanwhile, many people are considering making these changes in private homes too. There is no way to tell what invisible bugs are entering the house and the conventional cleaning products available may not be able to eliminate them. A number of benefits come from having brass fixtures and fittings, but this is surely one of the most important.”

House of Brass sells a comprehensive range of brass fittings and accessories both at their shop at 282-284 Huntingdon Street, Nottingham and online at http://www.houseofbrass.co.uk/.