Congressionally appropriated funds have been granted to the Copper Development Association (CDA) to study copper as an effective means of reducing hospital-acquired infections and improving indoor air quality.
One of the studies is designed to demonstrate the effectiveness of copper components in heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems in reducing the incidence of harmful microbes that spread throughout buildings and other indoor air environments.
The study compares copper air-conditioning system components, including heat exchangers and drip pans, with components made of aluminum as to their ability to control the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi.
"The results of these real-world trials should encourage a leap forward in the design of HVAC systems and make a major contribution to the reduction of Sick Building Syndrome and the improvement of indoor air quality," according to Dr. Harold Michels, vice president of Technical and Information Services for CDA and the studies' principal investigator.
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