The Properties of Copper

This is the Rachiele Learning Center, so I suppose I should have some brilliant information to pass on. I think I will talk about copper. Copper is a metal that I know quite a bit about, but feel much like a novice in comparison to what secrets lie inside that marvelous metal. Here are some things that I have learned over the years.
1. It is difficult to get copper to turn green. Funny, huh? Most people assume copper will turn green in a sink after a while. That simply is not the case. I have had copper sinks in my home for almost 10 years, no green! In fact, part of the roof on my house is copper – no green!

2. Copper is good for your health. Our bodies depend on copper for neurological activity, for creating our own internal heat, and for communication between and among cells. Copper is the catalyst that helps certain foods make hemoglobin in our blood. The presence of copper is also necessary for the function of critical enzymes in our metabolism. In fact, a deficiency in copper is one factor leading to an increased risk of high cholesterol and coronary heart disease.

3. Copper and the H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) Researchers placed 2 million plaque forming units of Influenza A (H1N1) on coupons of C11000 copper (common, pure copper sheet metal) and on S30400 (common stainless steel) at room temperature and then came back periodically to determine the survival rates of the samples. On the stainless steel, the pathogen declined to 1 million after six hours and to 500,000 after 24 hours. Meanwhile, the copper surface achieved a reduction to 500,000 after only one hour and inactivated all but 500 — a 99.99% reduction — after just six hours. Hmmm, no wonder none of us have had the flu here!