One-year trial evaluating the durability and antimicrobial efficacy of copper in public transportation systems
Abstract Surfaces on transit vehicles are frequently touched and could potentially act as reservoirs for micro-organism transmission. Regular cleaning and disinfection to minimize the spread of micro-organisms is operationally challenging due to the need to keep vehicles in circulation. The applicat...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-56225-9 |
| _version_ | 1797247436610076672 |
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| author | Teresa C. Williams Edouard Asselin Tony Mazzulli Tracey Woznow Hadi Hamzeh Davood Nahkaie Dean Waisman Biljana Stojkova Richard Dixon Elizabeth Bryce Marthe Charles |
| author_facet | Teresa C. Williams Edouard Asselin Tony Mazzulli Tracey Woznow Hadi Hamzeh Davood Nahkaie Dean Waisman Biljana Stojkova Richard Dixon Elizabeth Bryce Marthe Charles |
| author_sort | Teresa C. Williams |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Surfaces on transit vehicles are frequently touched and could potentially act as reservoirs for micro-organism transmission. Regular cleaning and disinfection to minimize the spread of micro-organisms is operationally challenging due to the need to keep vehicles in circulation. The application of copper (Cu) alloys to high- touch surfaces could help reduce the risk of cross-contamination, however, little is known about the durability and efficacy of engineered copper surfaces after prolonged use. Three Cu products (decal, thermal fabrication, and alloy covers) were assessed over a 12-month period. These Cu products were randomly installed on 110 stanchions on three buses and four train (SkyTrain) cars in Vancouver and three buses, two subway cars, and two streetcars in Toronto with mirrored control surfaces directly opposite. Bacterial counts (Colony forming units, CFU) and ATP bioluminescence (ATPB) were measured every two months after peak morning routes. Durability of the Cu products were assessed monthly through visual inspection and colorimetry assays or by ex-situ microscopy. Cu products on stanchions reduced the mean colony forming units (CFU) of all vehicles by 42.7% in the mean CFU (0.573 (CI 95% 0.453–0.726), p-value < 0.001) compared to control surfaces. The three Cu products exhibited an overall 87.1% reduction in the mean ATPB readings (0.129 (CI 95% 0.059–0.285, p-value < 0.001) compared to controls. Surface Cu concentration for all three products was consistent throughout the 12-month period. Electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) cross-sectional analysis showed no change in thickness or dealloying of Cu products, however SEM top-down analysis revealed substantial carbon accumulation on all surfaces. Cu products installed on transit vehicles maintained antimicrobial efficacy and durability after 12 months of use. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T19:58:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e8e64d81cf3c412a81541a30a32c9e9c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T19:58:40Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-e8e64d81cf3c412a81541a30a32c9e9c2024-03-24T12:15:29ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-03-0114111010.1038/s41598-024-56225-9One-year trial evaluating the durability and antimicrobial efficacy of copper in public transportation systemsTeresa C. Williams0Edouard Asselin1Tony Mazzulli2Tracey Woznow3Hadi Hamzeh4Davood Nahkaie5Dean Waisman6Biljana Stojkova7Richard Dixon8Elizabeth Bryce9Marthe Charles10Division of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Vancouver Coastal HealthDepartment of Materials Engineering, University of British ColumbiaDepartment of Microbiology, Mount Sinai HospitalDivision of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Vancouver Coastal HealthDepartment of Microbiology, Mount Sinai HospitalDepartment of Materials Engineering, University of British ColumbiaWestech Systems, IncDepartment of Statistics, University of British ColumbiaCommunity & Healthcare Acquired Infection Reduction (CHAIR)Division of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Vancouver Coastal HealthDivision of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Vancouver Coastal HealthAbstract Surfaces on transit vehicles are frequently touched and could potentially act as reservoirs for micro-organism transmission. Regular cleaning and disinfection to minimize the spread of micro-organisms is operationally challenging due to the need to keep vehicles in circulation. The application of copper (Cu) alloys to high- touch surfaces could help reduce the risk of cross-contamination, however, little is known about the durability and efficacy of engineered copper surfaces after prolonged use. Three Cu products (decal, thermal fabrication, and alloy covers) were assessed over a 12-month period. These Cu products were randomly installed on 110 stanchions on three buses and four train (SkyTrain) cars in Vancouver and three buses, two subway cars, and two streetcars in Toronto with mirrored control surfaces directly opposite. Bacterial counts (Colony forming units, CFU) and ATP bioluminescence (ATPB) were measured every two months after peak morning routes. Durability of the Cu products were assessed monthly through visual inspection and colorimetry assays or by ex-situ microscopy. Cu products on stanchions reduced the mean colony forming units (CFU) of all vehicles by 42.7% in the mean CFU (0.573 (CI 95% 0.453–0.726), p-value < 0.001) compared to control surfaces. The three Cu products exhibited an overall 87.1% reduction in the mean ATPB readings (0.129 (CI 95% 0.059–0.285, p-value < 0.001) compared to controls. Surface Cu concentration for all three products was consistent throughout the 12-month period. Electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) cross-sectional analysis showed no change in thickness or dealloying of Cu products, however SEM top-down analysis revealed substantial carbon accumulation on all surfaces. Cu products installed on transit vehicles maintained antimicrobial efficacy and durability after 12 months of use.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-56225-9Public healthAntimicrobialCopperTransitBacteria |
| spellingShingle | Teresa C. Williams Edouard Asselin Tony Mazzulli Tracey Woznow Hadi Hamzeh Davood Nahkaie Dean Waisman Biljana Stojkova Richard Dixon Elizabeth Bryce Marthe Charles One-year trial evaluating the durability and antimicrobial efficacy of copper in public transportation systems Scientific Reports Public health Antimicrobial Copper Transit Bacteria |
| title | One-year trial evaluating the durability and antimicrobial efficacy of copper in public transportation systems |
| title_full | One-year trial evaluating the durability and antimicrobial efficacy of copper in public transportation systems |
| title_fullStr | One-year trial evaluating the durability and antimicrobial efficacy of copper in public transportation systems |
| title_full_unstemmed | One-year trial evaluating the durability and antimicrobial efficacy of copper in public transportation systems |
| title_short | One-year trial evaluating the durability and antimicrobial efficacy of copper in public transportation systems |
| title_sort | one year trial evaluating the durability and antimicrobial efficacy of copper in public transportation systems |
| topic | Public health Antimicrobial Copper Transit Bacteria |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-56225-9 |
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