Metals are a material of utmost importance in almost all industries and lines of business. However, we forget that, like all materials that come from nature, they also have properties that are useful in the field of medicine.
More and more experts are encouraged to investigate the use of various metals whose properties against microbes can repel SARS-CoV-2 in just 4 hours.
Copper as a microorganism-destroying material
An example of this is copper, which is gaining recognition by the scientific community as a possible tool against COVID-19. This material can be used as a shield against the new virus. But this is not something new, for thousands of years a bad relationship has been associated between microbes and copper.
A group of scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States (CDC), at the University of California, demonstrated in an analysis that the COVDI-19 virus only resists 4 hrs on its surface, this is a minimum of time compared to the 3 days this virus survives on plastic or stainless steel. Something that makes us think about how this metal can be a very valuable tool when implementing solutions that help us reduce contact with the virus.
Let's remember that these properties have been known since time immemorial, as from ancient times copper pieces were used to disinfect wounds or prevent infections. The most important quality of this material is that copper continues to disinfect its surface on its own without the need for cleaning or sanitization.
Studies by Michael G. Schmidt, professor of microbiology and immunology, have shown that surfaces such as railings, hospital tray tables, posts, hospital armrests, among others. Decreased 83% of microbes compared to surfaces that are made of other materials.
The only metal with antimicrobial properties
Copper has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States (EPA), which has registered it as the first and only metal with antimicrobial properties.
How does it help against COVID-19?
We know that this virus has come to stay, and that in the future it will be part of a disease that we will have to be aware of. An example of how we can use this metal in the future to prevent, not only COVID-19, but a multitude of viruses, is by using it more on surfaces and constructions.
An Australian company has begun to create copper door knobs and Chilean scientists even bet on creating masks with this material.
However, copper is not the only metal that can make a difference in the field of medicine.
Platinum, a tool in the fight against COVID-19
The role of platinum in medicine is also of utmost importance, with applications in devices such as pacemakers, this metal plays an important role in devices currently used in the fight against COVID-19.
According to data from the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC), platinum is the material used in the electrodes of devices that analyze the presence of gases in the blood, thanks to its rapid reaction and its reduced margin of error compared to other options.
The instruments that measure the composition of gases in the blood constitute a vital diagnostic tool for professionals treating the virus, as they help to analyze, diagnose and monitor patients with respiratory irregularities.
This metal is also related to other areas in the fight against COVID-19. In the chemical industry, platinum is used in the production of polypropylene and medical silicones for the manufacture of personal protective equipment and other disposable medical products.
In the pharmaceutical industry, platinum also constitutes a very important element in the production of active ingredients among which we can find several antibiotics used in the treatment against COVID-19.
Thanks to these advances we can demonstrate that metal is a fundamental part of our environment, not only in large industries such as automotive, aeronautical or metalworking, but also in the medical industry, where today we are in constant struggle against this new virus known as COVID-19.
Sources:
El Confidencial, 2020. https://www.elconfidencial.com/tecnologia/ciencia/2020-04-17/cober-material-coronavirus-supervivencia-virus_2551879/
José Ángel Pedraza, 2020. https://oroinformacion.com/el-... basic to contract your insurance"
