Moms Say Schools Aren’t ‘Very Clean,’ ‘Most Likely’ Source of Family Colds and Infections, According to New Survey

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Most moms (77%) think that schools are not
“very clean” and a majority (53%) believe schools were the most likely
source of their family’s colds and other infections last year.

With school back in session, Moms favor two strategies to combat the
problem, according to a survey* of adults last summer conducted for the
makers of EPA-registered CuVerro^® bactericidal copper.

Almost all (93%) say kids should wash their hands more often. A large
majority (85%) also want school facility managers to consider changing
the material they use for handles on toilets, doors and faucets.

Copper to the Rescue

The latter comes in response to the fact that copper has the inherent
ability to kill bacteria. The metal that people associate with pennies,
electrical wires, and water pipes kills 99.9% of bacteria** that come in
contact with it.

On the other hand, stainless steel, the material most often used for
door and faucet handles, has no antimicrobial properties. In fact,
compared to copper, stainless steel surfaces can be virtual petri dishes
of potentially infectious bacteria (see chart at right).

News of copper’s bactericidal properties is timely for US consumers, a
majority of whom worry that the threats of infectious disease is
growing. Copper can play a leading role in fighting bacteria* that cause
potentially life-threatening infections.

New Study: Copper Kills Bacteria … Continuously

Recent research from Grinnell College and the Medical University of
South Carolina makes an even more compelling case for the use of
antimicrobial copper. The study is the first to show that surfaces in
unoccupied patient rooms quickly re-contaminate after terminal cleaning.
But when surfaces in patient rooms are made of copper, bacterial loads
do not rebound, regardless of occupancy.

The Grinnell findings confirm previous studies and, according Anthony M.
Kulik, Director of the CuVerro Business for Olin Brass, provide
additional support for the use of copper surfaces in hospitals and other
environments where hygiene is a concern.

“Copper substantially reduces the amount of bacteria on surfaces,” he
said. “Our network of manufacturers makes products that can fit into any
location – from hospitals and schools to health clubs and other public
spaces. We also have products for everyday use, like pens and cell phone
cases. The possibilities are endless.”

About CuVerro®

CuVerro® is manufactured by GBC Metals, LLC, doing business as Olin
Brass, a wholly owned subsidiary of Global Brass and Copper, Inc. which
is a subsidiary of Global Brass and Copper Holdings, Inc., the leading
manufacturer and distributor of copper, copper-alloy and bactericidal
copper sheet, strip, plate, foil, rod, ingot and fabricated components
in North America and one of the largest in the world. GBC Metals engages
in the melting, casting, rolling, drawing, extruding and stamping of
specialized copper and copper alloys finished products from scrap,
cathode and other refined metals. (OB-0040-1608)

*The national survey of 1,000 adults was commissioned by CuVerro, a
unit of Olin Brass, and conducted by independent survey research firm
Pulse Opinion Research, a licensee of Rasmussen Reports, on July 13-14,
2016. The margin of sampling error was +/- percentage points with
a 95% level of confidence. The margins of error may differ for cross tab
data.

**Laboratory testing shows that, when cleaned regularly, CuVerro
surfaces kill greater than 99.9% of the following bacteria within 2
hours of exposure: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA),
Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
E. coli O157:H7, and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis
(VRE).The use of CuVerro® bactericidal copper products is a supplement
to and not a substitute for standard infection control practices; users
must continue to follow all current infection control practices,
including those practices related to cleaning and disinfection of
environmental surfaces. This surface has been shown to reduce microbial
contamination, but it does not necessarily prevent cross contamination.

For more information visit cuverro.com
or contact cuverro@olinbrass.com.

Contacts

GBC Metals, LLC (d/b/a Olin Brass)
Jill Miller
Jill.Miller@olinbrass.com
502.473.6611