An Improved Proposal for Using Laminar Copper as a Biocidal Material in Hospitals in Touch Surfaces: A Study on Volatiles

The use of copper for reducing nosocomial infections has been carried out in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) by replacing some objects generally made of stainless steel or other materials with solid pieces of copper. The authors’ proposal consists of introducing copper in a “lamina + adhesive” format. This proposal has been tested in an ICU at the Ceuta Hospital. It has been found to provide an equally efficient solution than the usual “solid” format, but with sustainable use of copper, which is a high-cost and limited resource. After that intervention, some improvements are also proposed: a standardization of the pieces chosen to cover with a lamina of copper for saving material; and another method of replacement aiming to lower the time that the ICU cannot be used. To ensure that the proposed bonding method is harmless to human health and the adhesive does not interfere with the indoor environment by releasing toxic chemicals, the “lamina + adhesive” sheet has been further tested. The results and proposals are briefly shown.