Copper can be helpful in controlling the emission of fungi from heating ventilation and air-conditioning systems, concluded a recent study presented at the US Environmental Protection Agency’s recent Committee on Indoor Air Quality.
The data presented builds on laboratory work at the University of Southampton assessing copper’s antifungal properties.
Professor Bill Keevil, chair in environmental healthcare at the University of Southampton, tested the effectiveness of copper as an antifungal surface to be used in air-conditioning systems as an alternative to aluminium. Significant fungal growth occurred on the aluminium, whereas copper proved antifungal and also prevented subsequent spore growth.
In densely occupied buildings, airborne microbial contaminants can have adverse effects on human health by causing infections, allergic responses or toxic effects. Consequently, microbial growth in HVAC systems and subsequent contamination of the indoor air environment is of increasing concern. Professor Keevil’s research concluded that copper offers a valuable alternative to aluminium, and could be used in air-conditioning systems in buildings.
Over in the US, Dr Michael Schmidt, professor and vice chairman of microbiology and immunology at the Medical University of South Carolina, presented data from comparisons of HVAC systems using copper versus systems using aluminium during use in buildings. The work was conducted in Fort Jackson, the US Army’s largest basic training base, and was supported by the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command.
Dr Schmidt’s presentation concurred with the UK research, and recommended additional research to explore the impact of copper HVAC systems in occupied spaces and copper’s effect on typical bacterial levels.