Can copper hardware combat/kill Covid-19.  The studies below from the CDC and the CDA would suggest YES, Copper kills Covid-19

The doorknob has become a symbol of danger in recent weeks, as we’ve learned exactly how long viruses can live on surfaces—COVID-19 can survive for two to three days on stainless steel.  This discovery has also led to renewed interest in copper as a tool for combating viruses.

Copper and copper alloys like brass, bronze, and copper-nickel, have long been known to have health benefits—but did you know these metals are naturally anti-microbial? Some research has even gone so far as to show that copper kills certain viruses on contact. Meaning they can’t be transferred to the next person who touches that copper doorknob. 

According to the American Society for Microbiology,research has firmly established the anti-microbial properties of copper surfaces, and the EPA has registered almost 300 different copper surfaces as antimicrobial. Numerous viruses and bacteria experience contact killing upon exposure to copper and copper alloy surface studies show, including MRSA, Staph, Influenza A and E-Coli.

"The process involves the release of copper ions (electrically charged particles) when microbes, transferred by touching, sneezing, or vomiting, land on the copper surface

• Media reports and public inquiries to CDA have noted several independent studies reporting antimicrobial efficacy of uncoated copper and copper alloy surfaces against human pathogens, including one strain of coronavirus (HuCoV-229E) reported in mBio by Warnes et al (citation: https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.01697-15).
• There also has been widespread media coverage of a recent U.S. government-funded study conducted by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes the disease COVID-19, remained viable for up to 2 to 3 days on plastic and stainless steel surfaces vs. up to 4 hours on copper (citation: https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMc2004973).
• All antimicrobial products marketed and sold in the U.S. are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure the products are safe to use, and that advertising claims about protecting public health, and efficacy against specific pathogens, are supported by rigorous testing under EPA-approved protocols.
• Copper alloy materials are registered by EPA (Reg. Nos. 82012-1 to 6) to make public health claims against six specific bacteria* (e.g. continuously kills >99.9% of MRSA within 2 hours of contact between routine cleanings). Considering the limited evidence against SARS-CoV-2 referenced above, further testing would be required to assess the effectiveness of copper surfaces, and to support EPA-registered product label claims against SARS-CoV-2.
• For more information on the antimicrobial properties of copper alloys and EPA registration, visit: www.copperalloystewardship.com.

A B Bonded Locksmiths is making this information known as a public service to increase your knowledge base and help fight this threat.  If we may help with your lock installation, keyless entry or commercial locksmith needs, please call us at 513-531-7334.