Press Release

ARCURI SUPPORTS ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO DEVELOP NEW COPPER TECHNOLOGY

Washington, DC -- U.S. Representative Michael A. Arcuri (D-Utica) applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today for designating copper, brass and bronze as being capable of killing harmful and potentially deadly bacteria.

EPA’s designation of copper, which represents the first solid surface material to receive this type of EPA registration, compliments an effort by Arcuri, Revere Copper and others to invest federal funds in a Defense department research and development program to demonstrate the effectiveness of copper alloys in killing dangerous pathogens on frequently-touched surfaces in healthcare and other high-risk facilities, and to reduce infections.

“I am committed to working with Revere Copper and my colleagues in Congress to make sure this world-class technology is developed and expanded to reduce infections, reduce healthcare costs and expand markets for a critical local business,” Arcuri said. “The EPA’s recognition of the health benefits of copper is a critical first step. I will continue to strongly support defense department research and development of antimicrobial copper.”

Arcuri strongly supports an increase of $2.8 million in the fiscal year 2009 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill to continue researching the effectiveness of copper alloys and develop copper products to reduce hospital-acquired infections. Arcuri successfully worked with Revere Copper to ensure funding for this program for fiscal year 2008. 

“The decision by the EPA to approve the registration of antimicrobial copper alloys is exciting,” said Michael O'Shaughnessy, President & CEO of Revere Copper Products, Inc.  “Over time it has the potential to open up new markets for manufacturers of hospital equipment, touch surfaces and builders of hardware, as well as the fabricators who supply them with antimicrobial copper, brass and bronze. Revere appreciates the key role that Congressman Arcuri played to gain approval of funding in the Defense Appropriations Bill for the applied research on copper’s antimicrobial properties.”

One study shows that on copper alloy surfaces, greater than 99.9% of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) “superbugs” are killed within two hours at room temperature.. MRSA is one of the most virulent strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and a common cause of hospital- and community-acquired infections. 
Widely publicized statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate infections acquired in U.S. hospitals affect two million individuals every year and result in nearly 100,000 deaths annually. Estimated U.S. hospital costs to treat such infections have reached an annual sum of more than $30 billion.

###