Over the past few months, there has been a surge in the market for materials laced with copper—including face masks, bedsheets, and socks—with manufacturers touting the metal’s germ-killing ability. But experts say consumers should be cautious, as copper isn’t a cure-all against the new coronavirus.
How copper kills germs
Copper is known for killing microbes and has been shown to help limit the spread of viruses such as E. coli, salmonella, and influenza.
According to Karrera Djoko, a biochemist and microbiologist at Durham University, when copper comes into contact with a germ, it has the ability to release reactive ions that puncture the exterior of the germ. The ions can then access the inside of the germ, affecting its genetic material.
Anglo Pacific Group plc (LON:APF) has a 1.525% NSR royalty with Mantos Copper over all copper produced at the Mantos Blancos Mine located in Chile, approximately 45 km from the city of Antofagasta.