[TheForge] Copper vs. coronavirus

[Bruce .]

I agree with the ordinary precautions.
I think I read somewhere that silver is not as effective as copper as an
antimicrobial, but perhaps that's because it's slower to tarnish?
(Chemist, here.)
Copper is unsafe as a cooking vessel (as opposed to just for fetching
water) *unless* the tarnish is first removed.  The tarnish is soluble in
even very dilute acid, and copper (although a necessary nutrient in *trace*
amounts) is toxic.  Bright copper does not release atoms, but tarnish is
copper oxides and does.
So, that makes me wonder whether the toxicity of copper ions (which I'm now
speculating relates to the relatively short survival time of bacteria and
viruses on copper surfaces -- which usually have at least some tarnish or
verdigris) might be exploited more actively:  Suppose we made a hand
sanitizer that contained slightly more than trace amounts of copper ions --
enough to kill germs?  What if we treated paper face masks with copper ions
-- which would easily be done?
There's already a provisional patent on a mask with sodium chloride (table
salt) crystals which are said to destroy the virus in minutes,
mechanically.  That, of course, is a better idea because salt isn't toxic.
But it doesn't hurt to pursue multiple avenues.
If things get worse, I might try out my ideas on myself, but I have no way
of testing efficacy or safety, so wouldn't do more than that.  In the
meantime, I'm washing my hands frequently, washing my face at least 2x per
day, washing down surfaces, knobs and other hand-holds daily, taking my
temperature daily or more, and of course, socially isolating.
I think the worst of this isolation psychologically is that it brings out
my potential hypochondria, which, fortunately, is minimal, "Gee is that
pain a lung infection?" (No, it's just a muscle ache from sleeping in a bad
position.)
FWIW, I'm using some of my time to start up my garden.  A "victory garden"
might be very useful this coming season.  I harvested lots of beans,
carrots, Swiss chard, and tomatoes last season, and a smattering of other
things.  I'm starting earlier this year with peas and spinach, and will be
putting more things in (lettuce, Swiss chard, Brassicas, etc., soon,
followed by beans, carrots, and maybe even a Ruth Stout potato garden.
Bruce
NJ


On Thu, Mar 26, 2020 at 10:27 PM jerry Frost <akfrosty at mtaonline.net> wrote:

> Maybe just observe established and effective measures to avoid infection?
> Wash your hands PROPERLY. Hands OFF your FACE. Use disinfectant wipes on
> every darned thing you touch. Stay as isolated as possible.
>
> Yeah, copper is an anti-microbial, silver more so and if you heat them to
> about 350f. they're instantly anti-microbial. More than toxicity of
> surfaces, how rapidly the virus dehydrates is a much bigger factor in it's
> survivability. This is why is doesn't survive long on paper cardboard and
> cloth, a couple hours typically. Survivability on Stainless steel and
> plastic in some cases several days. Survivability on copper and silver is
> significantly longer than on porous surfaces: cardboard paper, etc.
>
> I can post a good nuts and bolts article about how to keep yourself from
> catching this written by a woman born with a severely compromised immune
> system who then survived a bone marrow transplant. Nothing fancy, no
> special
> tricks, just nuts and bolts habits to build.
>
> Frosty
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bruce .
> Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2020 12:56 PM
> To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
> Subject: [TheForge] Copper vs. coronavirus
>
> Well, it IS a metal!
> Maybe make all handles, knobs, handrails from a copper alloy?  Or maybe
> just
> copper-plate steel?
>
> https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/xgqkyw/copper-destroys-viruses-and-bacter
> ia-why-isnt-it-everywhere
> <https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/xgqkyw/copper-destroys-viruses-and-bacteria-why-isnt-it-everywhere>
> Bruce
> NJ
>
>
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