What role will copper play in life?

1. Application in diet

Copper is a representative metal with bactericidal effect, which has been noticed by Chinese people for a long time. Scientific experimental results show that copper can inhibit the growth of various harmful bacteria, viruses and microorganisms (such as algae) in water. The mechanism of action is: Cu2 + generated by Cu in the presence of water passes through the cell membrane and reaches the interior of the cell. As Cu2 + is a heavy metal ion, it can denature some enzymes, destroy their metabolism and kill microorganisms. In foreign countries, people use copper alloys made of food utensils to store food. Because the surface of copper can effectively inhibit bacteria, such as the growth of Salmonella and Campylobacter strains, and the incidence rate of microbial food poisoning can be prevented.

2. Application in daily life

A typical example of the trace effect of copper is its application in money. Japanese scientists found that there were basically no bacteria in silver and copper coins after examining them. Tokyo Municipal Institute of health has carried out an experiment to prove the effect of trace metals of copper: 10 yuan copper yen, 5 yuan brass yen and 1 yuan aluminum coin have been prepared. First, put the 5 yuan copper coin and the 10 yuan copper coin on the surface of the culture dish. After 24 hours, they were taken out and observed under the microscope. It was found that the typhoid bacteria on 10 yuan copper coins and 5 yuan brass coins had been completely killed, while the typhoid bacteria on 1 yuan aluminum coins were more vigorous.

When summer comes, people are more concerned about how to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria in the air conditioning system. According to this concept, copper can be used for sterilization of air conditioning system. Recently, according to experts from the center for Disease Control and prevention, by installing or refitting the air filter of the air conditioner and replacing the plastic material with the copper mesh, the breeding and distribution of bacteria can be effectively prevented. It is reported that in the future, a new type of air conditioner with copper water storage tank and filter screen will be introduced in the market. The natural sterilization effect of copper will be used to make the air conditioner meet the requirements of sterilization and ventilation, improve air quality, obtain fresh air and protect human health.

Now, the trace effect of copper has penetrated into all aspects of people's life. Socks, bed sheets, towels, underwear, masks, dishcloths, air-conditioning filter paper, water purifier for water pipes and shower heads made of copper fiber are widely used in people's lives.

3. Application in public places and medical institutions

Copper is also used for sanitation in public places. Some people like to use beautiful stainless steel door handles because they look clean and reassuring, but this is not the case. New research results of American scientist Zui show that thousands of bacteria, including Gram-positive and negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus, may grow on stainless steel door handles. Researchers conducted the same test on brass door handles, and the results were surprising: Brass handles had far fewer bacteria than stainless steel handles.

According to the results of the culture experiment conducted by Japanese researchers on the hand rings of public transport vehicles in Tokyo, there are countless bacteria on the hand rings made of plastic and leather, while there are no bacteria on the hand rings made of copper alloy. Experts conducted repeated experiments to determine the death rate of bacteria on copper. The results showed that all bacteria on brass were wiped out in 7 hours or less;

And on the newly polished brass surface, it only takes 15 minutes to kill some bacteria. Therefore, experts suggest that in order to protect the public health environment, the use of brass door handles should be vigorously advocated in public places such as hospitals, shops, airports, stations and bathrooms. This is because brass not only can kill bacteria, but also is corrosion-resistant and cheap. For another example, copper used in swimming pools can prevent green algae pollution; used in the floor can prevent the infection of tinea pedis; with copper based antibacterial paint painted on the wall. This reduces the chance of pathogenic bacteria spreading by contacting with the surface of the object.

Therefore, copper is widely used in medical institutions. The bactericidal effect of copper has been used by medical institutions for a long time, which is beneficial to keep the utensils clean. There are many examples of the use of copper, copper alloys (mostly brass) or composite materials in the medical devices of hospitals. For example, the tongue depressor, contraceptive devices (such as active ring with some copper in it, copper ion has one function of direct sterilization, and the other function may change the structure of some enzymes in sperm, which will cause sperm death or decreased vitality, thus achieving the effect of contraception), urinary catheter, disinfection basin, etc., which are widely used in clinic; especially in the corridors of hospitals The handle made of copper and brass is safer than other materials in the handrails of stairs, toilets, observation rooms, operating rooms and wards.

4. Application in sewage treatment

The Institute of Chinese and Western studies in the United States and the applied microbiology research center of the public health laboratory in the United Kingdom conducted experiments on Escherichia coli and pneumonia bacteria respectively. It was also found that the survival rate and breeding rate of the two bacteria on copper pipes and copper surfaces were low. In 1992, Xiapu, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, arranged copper drainage networks for about 140000 households without sewers for seven years, in order to prevent the water quality from being polluted by domestic sewage from kitchens. Due to the use of the copper drainage network, the activities of microorganisms have been inhibited, the mucus has disappeared (the production of mucus is the evidence of microbial reproduction), and the mesh of the drainage network has become smaller. Therefore, the pollution caused by domestic sewage has also been controlled. This drainage network has been used by the relevant departments to reduce pollution.