为什么选择铜

Why copper tube

铜管与不锈钢管的抗菌型对比

——以下内容来自美国铜业发展协会（the Copper Development Association [CDA] ）

不锈钢可能看起来很干净，但威胁患者安全的致命细菌可以在这种材料上繁殖数周甚至数月。

Stainless steel may look clean, but deadly bacteria that threaten patient safety can thrive on this material for weeks or even months.

抗菌铜是EPA注册的第一个金属触摸表面，可连续杀死超过99.9%的细菌，这些细菌会导致医院获得性感染并降低医院的卫生状况。

Antimicrobial Copper is the first metallic touch surface registered by the EPA to continuously kill greater than 99.9% of bacteria that cause hospital acquired infections and degrade hygiene in hospitals.

做出公共卫生声明需要进行广泛的EPA实验室测试。

Extensive EPA laboratory testing is required to make public health claims.

抗菌铜已通过所有EPA测试协议，已在EPA注册，以提出公共健康声明，是医疗环境中感染控制和预防专业人员的又一武器。

Antimicrobial Copper has passed all EPA testing protocols, is registered by the EPA to make public health claims, and is another weapon for Infection Control and Prevention professionals in healthcare environments.

抗菌铜对6种注册细菌的功效总结如下：

Antimicrobial Copper's efficacy against the 6 registered bacteria is summarized below：

1、耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA) Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) 

抗菌铜提供针对MRSA的补充防御。铜对于经常接触的表面来说是一种极好的材料，因为它能够在定期清洁之间杀死MRSA。

Antimicrobial Copper provides supplemental defense against MRSA. Copper is an excellent material for frequently touched surfaces because of its ability to kill MRSA in between regular cleanings.

2、金黄色葡萄球菌 Staphylococcus aureus

金黄色葡萄球菌引起的感染常见于医疗机构，但也存在于健身设施、学校和辅助生活设施中。抗菌铜在常规清洁和接触之间的两小时内杀死99.9%的这种细菌。

Infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus are commonly found in healthcare settings, but are also present in fitness facilities, schools and assisted living facilities.  Antimicrobial Copper kills 99.9% of this bacterium within two hours in between routine cleanings and touches.  The chart below shows the effectiveness of an Antimicrobial Copper surface.

抗菌铜可在两小时内杀死99.9%的大肠杆菌O157:H7，为良好的卫生实践增加额外的保护水平。下表显示抗菌铜可在两小时内杀死大肠杆菌O157:H7，而不锈钢、塑料在六小时后几乎没有效果。

Antimicrobial Copper kills 99.9% of E. coli O157:H7 within two hours adding an additional level of protection to good hygienic practices. The chart below demonstrates that Antimicrobial Copper kills E. coli O157:H7 while stainless steel, plastic have virtually no effect after six hours.

4、产气肠杆菌 Enterobacter aerogenes  

下图显示了抗菌铜杀死这种弹性细菌的内在能力。在两个小时内，超过99.9%的产气肠杆菌菌落形成单位在铜和黄铜这两种抗菌铜合金上被杀死，而在不锈钢上几乎没有观察到还原。

The graph below shows Antimicrobial Copper's intrinsic ability to kill this resilient bacterium. Within two hours, more than 99.9% of Enterobacter aerogenes colony forming units is killed on copper and brass, two Antimicrobial Copper alloys, while very little reduction is observed on the stainless steel.

5、铜绿假单胞菌 Pseudomonas aeruginosa

抗菌铜表面有效杀死这种病原体，而其他表面材料相对惰性。美国EPA测试证实，抗菌铜合金在3种测试协议下可在两小时内杀死超过99.9%的铜绿假单胞菌。

Antimicrobial Copper surfaces effectively kill this pathogen while other surface materials are relatively inert. U.S. EPA tests confirmed that Antimicrobial Copper alloys kill more than 99.9% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa within two hours under 3 test protocols.

6、耐万古霉素粪肠球菌(VRE) Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE)

VRE对多种抗生素具有抗药性，并且很容易通过触摸在整个医疗保健环境中传播。抗菌铜表面在暴露后两小时内杀死超过 99.9%的VRE，从而为这种弹性有机体提供了额外的保护。

VRE is resistant to several antibiotics and is easily spread by touch throughout the healthcare environment.  Antimicrobial Copper surfaces kill greater than 99.9% of VRE within two hours of exposure providing added protection against this resilient organism.

抗菌铜杀死细菌的机制本质上是复杂的，但效果很简单。

The mechanism by which Antimicrobial Copper kills bacteria is a complex by nature, but the effect is simple.

科学表明，抗菌铜可以通过多方面的攻击杀死细菌。下面的问题和答案总结了积极和正在进行的研究，旨在解释抗菌铜是如何成为一种高效的触摸表面。

Science suggests that Antimicrobial Copper kills bacteria with a multifaceted attack.  The questions and answers below summarize active and ongoing research seeking to explain how Antimicrobial Copper is a highly effective touch surface.

铜如何影响细菌？

How does copper affect bacteria?

科学表明，铜表面通过两个连续步骤影响细菌：第一步是表面与细菌外膜之间的直接相互作用，导致膜破裂。第二个与外膜上的孔有关，细胞通过这些孔失去重要的营养物质和水分，导致细胞普遍衰弱。

Science suggests that copper surfaces affect bacteria in two sequential steps: the first step is a direct interaction between the surface and the bacterial outer membrane, causing the membrane to rupture. The second is related to the holes in the outer membrane, through which the cell loses vital nutrients and water, causing a general weakening of the cell.

铜是如何在细菌上打孔的？

How can copper punch holes in a bacterium?

每个细胞的外膜，包括像细菌这样的单细胞有机体的外膜，都以稳定的微电流为特征。这通常被称为“跨膜电位”，从字面上看，它是细胞内部和外部之间的电压差。当细菌与铜表面接触时，人们强烈怀疑细胞膜中的电流会发生短路。这会削弱膜并产生孔。

Every cell's outer membrane, including that of a single cell organism like a bacterium, is characterized by a stable electrical micro-current. This is often called "transmembrane potential", and is, literally, a voltage difference between the inside and the outside of a cell. It is strongly suspected that when a bacterium comes in contact with a copper surface, a short circuiting of the current in the cell membrane can occur. This weakens the membrane and creates holes.

在膜上打孔的另一种方法是局部氧化或“生锈”。当单个铜分子或铜离子从铜表面释放并撞击细胞膜的组成部分（蛋白质或脂肪酸）时，就会发生这种情况。如果“撞击”发生在有氧气的情况下，我们就说“氧化损伤”或“生锈”。一个类比是锈蚀减弱并在一块金属上打孔。

Another way to make a hole in a membrane is by localized oxidation or "rusting." This happens when a single copper molecule, or copper ion, is released from the copper surface and hits a building block of the cell membrane (either a protein or a fatty acid). If the "hit" occurs in the presence of oxygen, we speak of "oxidative damage", or "rust." An analogy is rust weakening and making holes in a piece of metal.

打孔后，铜离子如何进一步破坏细胞？

After punching holes, how do copper ions further damage the cell?

既然细胞的主要防御（它的外膜）已经被破坏，就会有一股不受阻碍的铜离子流进入细胞。这使细胞内的几个重要过程处于危险之中。铜确实淹没了细胞内部并阻碍了细胞新陈代谢（即生命所需的生化反应）。这些反应由酶完成和催化。当过量的铜离子与这些酶结合时，它们的活性就会停止。细菌不能再“呼吸”、“吃”、“消化”或“产生能量”。

Now that the cells main defense (its outer envelope) has been breached, there is an unopposed stream of copper ions entering the cell. This puts several vital processes inside the cell in danger. Copper literally overwhelms the inside of the cell and obstructs cell metabolism (i.e., the biochemical reactions needed for life). These reactions are accomplished and catalyzed by enzymes. When excess copper binds to these enzymes, their activity grinds to a halt. The bacterium can no longer "breathe", "eat", "digest" or "create energy."

铜的作用为何如此之快，并影响如此广泛的微生物？

How can copper's effect be so fast, and affect such a wide range of microorganisms?

专家通过铜作用的多目标性质解释了细菌在铜表面上的死亡速度。膜穿孔后，铜可以抑制任何“挡道”的特定酶，并阻止细胞运输或消化营养物质、修复受损的膜、呼吸或繁殖。

Experts explain the speed with which bacteria perish on copper surfaces by the multi-targeted nature of copper's effects. After membrane perforation, copper can inhibit any given enzyme that "stands in its way," and stop the cell from transporting or digesting nutrients, from repairing its damaged membrane, from breathing or multiplying.

也有人认为，这就是为什么如此广泛的微生物容易受到铜的接触作用的原因。

It is also thought that this is why such a wide range of microorganisms are susceptible to contact action by copper.

实验结论：

*实验室测试表明，如果定期清洁，抗菌铜表面会在接触2小时内杀死99.9%以上的以下细菌：MRSA、VRE、金黄色葡萄球菌、产气肠杆菌、铜绿假单胞菌和大肠杆菌O157:H7。抗菌铜表面是标准感染控制实践的补充而非替代，已被证明可以减少微生物污染，但不一定能防止交叉污染或感染；用户必须继续遵循所有当前的感染控制实践。

*Laboratory testing shows that, when cleaned regularly, antimicrobial copper surfaces kill greater than 99.9% of the following bacteria within 2 hours of exposure: MRSA, VRE, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and E. coli O157:H7. Antimicrobial copper surfaces are a supplement to and not a substitute for standard infection control practices and have been shown to reduce microbial contamination, but do not necessarily prevent cross contamination or infections; users must continue to follow all current infection control practices.

为什么选择抗菌铜？

Why Antimicrobial Copper?

抗菌铜可以杀死经常接触的表面上的细菌，从而使医院环境更加卫生。

Antimicrobial Copper can make the hospital environment more hygienic by killing bacteria on frequently touched surfaces.

定期清洁后，抗菌铜合金是美国环境保护署（EPA）注册的唯一固体金属接触表面材料，可在接触后两小时内持续杀死超过99.9%的导致HAI的细菌。

When cleaned regularly, Antimicrobial Copper alloys are the only solid metal touch surface materials registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to continuously kill more than 99.9% of bacteria* that cause HAIs within two hours of contact.

支持EPA注册的科学已经证明抗菌铜是一种非常有效的触摸表面材料，并引发了一场全球运动，倡导使用这些材料来补充医疗机构、公共交通、教育机构等的感染控制。

Science supporting the EPA registration has proven Antimicrobial Copper to be a highly effective* touch surface materials and has sparked a global campaign advocating the use of these materials to supplement infection control in healthcare facilities, mass transit, educational institutions and beyond.

三个主要特性使抗菌铜成为一种高效的触摸表面材料：

Three main characteristics make Antimicrobial Copper a highly effective* touch surface material:

1、持续杀死细菌 Continuously kills bacteria

u 事实证明，作为抗菌剂的功效比不锈钢更有效

Efficacy as an antimicrobial is proven far more effective than stainless steel

u 经证明可以持续杀死导致感染的细菌

Proven to continuously kill the bacteria* that cause infections

u EPA注册的唯一固体金属抗菌触控表面

 The only solid metal antimicrobial touch surfaces registered by EPA

2、永不磨损 Never wears out

u 持续和持续的抗菌作用

Continuous and ongoing antimicrobial action

u 即使在反复干湿磨损和再污染后仍然有效

Remains effective even after repeated wet & dry abrasion and re-contamination

u 自然变色不会影响功效

Natural tarnishing does not impair efficacy

3、使用安全 Safe to use

u 对人或环境无害

Not harmful to people or the environment

u 天然抗菌，不添加化学物质

Inherently antimicrobial, no chemicals added

u 完全可回收

Completely recyclable

铜在暖通空调系统中的应用

Copper Applications in HVAC

受污染的空气处理系统会传播引起异味的霉菌和霉菌，并阻碍系统效率。广泛的测试表明抗菌铜可以提供帮助。

Contaminated air handling systems can spread odor-causing mold and mildew and hinder system efficiency. Extensive testing has shown Antimicrobial Copper can help.

暖通空调（HVAC）系统组件在温暖、黑暗、潮湿的环境中运行，这些环境是霉菌和霉菌的理想滋生地，霉菌和霉菌会产生异味并抑制系统效率。对引起气味的霉菌进行的实验室试验表明，铜材料可以抑制这些微生物的生长。在暴露于铜表面24小时后，在几种常见的霉菌种类中观察到完全脱落。铝对任何真菌都没有影响。这些发现显示出优于铝表面的优势，因为铜具有抑制引起异味的霉菌生长的固有能力。

Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system components operate in warm, dark, humid environments that are ideal breeding grounds for mold and mildew that cause odors and can inhibit system efficiency. Laboratory testing1> on odor-causing mold and mildew has shown that copper materials can inhibit the growth of these organisms. After 24 hours of exposure to copper surfaces, total die off was observed in several common mold species. Aluminum had no effect on any of the fungi. These findings show the advantage over aluminum surfaces because of copper's inherent ability to inhibit the growth of odor-causing mold.

为了支持实验室数据，南卡罗来纳大学构建了一个试点规模的系统，该系统由远程医疗和先进技术研究中心（TATRC）下的国防部（DoD）资助。该计划旨在验证通过在这些系统中使用铜组件来提高HVAC系统性能的概念。实验装置将铜热交换器、滴油盘和其他组件与铝制对应物进行比较。此外，插入热交换器翅片之间的铜和铝试样将定期移除以观察生物膜的生长。数据收集始于2009 年12月。

To support the laboratory data, a pilot-scale system was constructed at the University of South Carolina, funded by the Department of Defense (DoD) under the Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC). This program seeks to validate the concept of improved HVAC system performance through copper component use in these systems. The experimental setup will compare copper heat exchangers, drip pans and other components to their aluminum counterparts. Additionally, copper and aluminum coupons inserted in between heat exchanger fins will be removed periodically to observe biofilm growth. Data collection began in December 2009.

为了观察铜空气处理组件在实际使用条件下的性能，一项大规模的测试正在Ft被占领的军营中进行。南卡罗来纳州杰克逊。传入数据正在评估铜热交换器在整个加热和冷却循环中提高系统性能的能力。作为比较，铝制热交换器安装在相邻的军营建筑中。此外，正在收集能源消耗数据以评估铜和铝系统的相对效率。由于更好的传热性能和耐腐蚀性，铜热交换器被认为更有效。测试将提供实际使用条件下的长期数据。

To observe the performance of copper air handling components in actual use conditions, a large scale test is underway in occupied military barracks at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. Incoming data is evaluating the ability of copper heat exchangers to improve system performance throughout full heating and cooling cycles. For comparison, aluminum heat exchangers were installed in an adjacent barracks building. Additionally, energy consumption data is being collected to evaluate the relative efficiencies of the copper and aluminum systems. Copper heat exchangers are believed to be more efficient due to better heat transfer properties and corrosion resistance. Testing will provide long-term data in actual use conditions.

美国环境保护署于2010年9月授予HVAC应用中铜合金的“经处理物品豁免”注册。该注册允许铜HVAC组件通过抑制降低系统效率并导致产品产生的细菌和霉菌的生长来提出产品保护要求变质或恶臭。这些声明得到EPA注册82012-7的支持。

The US Environmental Protection Agency granted a "Treated Article Exemption" registration for copper alloys in HVAC applications in September of 2010.  This registration allows copper HVAC components to make product protection claims by suppressing the growth of bacteria and molds that reduce system efficiency and cause product deterioration or foul odors.  These claims are supported by EPA registration 82012-7.