Copper’s Essential Role in Protecting Public Health
July 8, 2024

ARTICLE & EDITING

Bruno Venditti

Copper’s Essential Role in Protecting Public Health


Every day, high-touch surfaces present health risks to people in public spaces, and especially the most vulnerable in healthcare. In fact, of every 100 hospitalized patients at any given time, seven will get at least one healthcare-acquired or “hospital infection”.


With naturally antimicrobial properties, copper can kill up to 99.9% of bacteria on surfaces within two hours of exposure and slow the spread of diseases.


In this infographic from our sponsor Teck, we explore copper’s bacteria-fighting abilities and its crucial role in public health.


How Copper Kills Bacteria


Due to its powerful antimicrobial properties, copper kills bacteria in sequential steps:


  • First, copper ions on the surface are recognized by the bacteria as an essential nutrient and enter cell.
  • Then, a lethal dose of copper ions interferes with normal cell functions.
  • Finally, the copper binds to the enzymes, impeding the cell from breathing, eating, digesting, or creating energy.


This rapid killing mechanism prevents cells from replicating on copper surfaces and significantly reduces the amount of bacteria living on the surface.


Antimicrobial copper is effective against bacteria that causes common diseases like staph infections and E. coli that causes foodborne illness. The metal continuously kills bacteria and never wears out.


Besides bacteria, researchers are currently studying copper’s impacts on the virus that causes COVID-19. A previous study suggested that SARS-CoV-2 was completely destroyed within four hours on copper surfaces, as compared to 24 hours on cardboard, and up to three days on plastic and stainless steel. Pre-pandemic studies also demonstrated copper’s ability to kill other coronaviruses.


The Applications of Antimicrobial Copper


Institutions around the world have already deployed antimicrobial copper solutions relating to hospitals, fitness centers, mass transit systems, schools, professional sports teams, office buildings, restaurants, and more.


To date, antimicrobial copper has been installed in more than 300 healthcare facilities around the world. Taking the reduced costs of shorter patient stay and treatment into consideration, the payback time for installing copper fittings is only two months, according to an independent study by the University of York’s Health Economics Consortium.


In Canada, Teck has worked with its partners to install antimicrobial copper coatings on high-touch surfaces in hospitals, educational buildings and transit.


The Stanley Cup champions Los Angeles Kings have installed antimicrobial copper surfaces in their strength and training facility in California. Furthermore, over 50 water bottle filling stations made from antimicrobial copper can also be found throughout the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta.


Copper’s Role in Public Health


While many hospitals and other institutions are already using copper fittings, others are still not aware of its impactful properties.


As awareness increases, copper can become a simple but effective material to help control the spread of infections.


Copyright © 2024 Visual Capitalist

VVC Exploration Corporation Files Annual Financial Statements

August 19, 2026
TORONTO, Aug. 19, 2026 - VVC Exploration Corporation, dba VVC Resources (“VVC” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: VVC and OTCQB: VVCVF) is providing an update to its previous news release dated May 21, 2026, regarding the status of its delayed annual financial filings. The annual financial statements and the Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the year ended January 31, 2026 were filed on SEDAR+ on August 18, 2026. With the Year-end Financials completed, the Company is working diligently on preparing the financial statements and MD&A for the three months ended April 30, 2026 (collectively the "Interim Financials"). The Company expects to be able file the Interim Financials prior to August 31, 2026. As such, the Failure-to-File Cease Trade Order ("FFCTO") against the Company will remain in place until such time as the Company's Interim Financials and related officer certifications are filed on SEDAR+. The delay in completing the Required Filings resulted from additional time required to finalize certain accounting and financial reporting matters in connection with the Company's year-end reporting process. About VVC Resources VVC engages in the exploration, development, and management of natural resources - specializing in scarce and increasingly valuable materials needed to meet the growing, high-tech demands of industries such as manufacturing, technology, medicine, space travel, and the expanding green economy. Our portfolio includes a diverse set of multi-asset, high-growth projects, comprising: Helium & industrial gas production in western U.S.; Gold & associated metals operations in northern Mexico; and Strategic investments in carbon sequestration and other green energy technologies. VVC is a Canada-based, publicly-traded company on the TSXV (TSX-V:VVC). To learn more, visit our website at: www.vvcresources.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

VVC Exploration Corporation Announces Director Resignation

June 19, 2026
TORONTO, June 19, 2026 - VVC Exploration Corporation, dba VVC Resources ("VVC" or the "Company") (TSX-V: VVC and OTCQB: VVCVF) announces that Mr. Bruno Dumais resigned as a Director of the Company. The Board of Directors has accepted Mr. Dumais' resignation with regret, and thanks him for his valuable contributions and dedicated service to the Company. Jim Culver, CEO of VVC, commented: "On behalf of the Board and management, I would like to express our deep appreciation to Bruno for his commitment to VVC. We value the insight and guidance he has provided during his tenure and wish him continued success in his future endeavors." The position on the Board of Directors will be left vacant until a new candidate can be appointed to fill the vacancy. About VVC Resources VVC engages in the exploration, development, and management of natural resources - specializing in scarce and increasingly valuable materials needed to meet the growing, high-tech demands of industries such as manufacturing, technology, medicine, space travel, and the expanding green economy. Our portfolio includes a diverse set of multi-asset, high-growth projects, comprising: Helium & industrial gas production in western U.S.; Gold & associated metals operations in northern Mexico; and Strategic investments in carbon sequestration and other green energy technologies. VVC is a Canada-based, publicly-traded company on the TSXV (TSX-V:VVC). To learn more, visit our website at: www.vvcresources.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Show More >