Copper Clothing has exclusively partnered with South Korean medical devices manufacturer Medifiber to supply copper-infused face masks to the UK market.
This partnership combines both companies’ copper technologies, knowledge and infrastructure to protect people during the pandemic. Between them, the companies have six anti-viral Coronavirus certificates to prove that viruses are destroyed by their copper-infused products.
Rory Donnelly, research and development director at Copper Clothing, said: “We are delighted to work with Medifiber to bring copper-infused face masks, an extra line of defence, to more UK consumers and healthcare workers. Our current face mask products have been hugely popular, and we are excited to be collaborating with the company on new and powerful variants for the UK market.”
The latest tests conducted in the United States at the Colorado State University Biological Safety Level 3 (BSL-3) research laboratory and Japanese Nara Institute of Sciences & Technology research have demonstrated, for the first time, that the surface material of this new face mask can eliminate more than 99.99% of the SARS-CoV-2 virus strain within 30 minutes. In contrast, the Lancet Medical Journal reported that SARS-CoV-2 lasts on the outside of a surgical type, the masks used by the NHS, for seven days.
This is because of copper’s oligodynamic properties. When harnessed appropriately, small amounts of copper ions have the ability to exert a lethal effect on pathogenic cells. Copper Clothing uses patented technology to harness the properties of copper, engineering its atoms into an optimum structure to kill bacteria, fungi and viruses. The material provides a natural, long-term, sustainable, chemical-free and cost-effective solution to preventing the spread of infections.
Mr Sultan, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Croydon University Hospital has previously led three clinical trials exploring the use of copper in medical products.
He said: “Copper has always been a strong material to explore when it comes to preventing the spread of infections because it has oligodynamic properties. It’s great to see organisations coming together to bring innovative solutions like this to fight against bacteria, fungi and viruses for the future.”
Copper Clothing also develops ion-bonded technology with its partners to prevent the spread through air conditioning units or even shopping trolley handles, a vector of transmission.
The medical grade masks are currently going through regulatory approval and will be on sale to healthcare workers and the public next month.
