MRSA, or Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, is a growing concern for the NHS, with over 7,000 cases in Britain alone. Since people who are susceptible to illnesses are at greater risk of MRSA attack, scientists are always on the look out for new ways to fight the virus. Other researchers have been looking for quite some time at how some metals can affect bacteria, however, so far; no-one has looked into MRSA.

Doctor Noyce and Professor Bill Keevil have been comparing how MRSA copes on stainless steel - the most commonly used metal in NHS hospitals - and on selected copper surfaces. Their results showed that at room temperature, MRSA can survive for 72 hours on stainless steel, meaning it can potentially spread to other surfaces from contact, whereas yellow brass rendered it risk - free in four and a half hours. This however, was seconded only by copper, destroying it in 90 minutes flat. Dr J Noyce says:

 “MRSA infections in hospitals are pretty rife and out of control.”

However, Noyce says that it would be relatively expensive and so it would be better to upgrade the surfaces in the intensive care units, where patients are at greater risk if they become infected.

Professor Keevil says that the results were less impressive at lower temperatures, meaning that extra care should be taken in low temperature storage areas and refrigerators. Scottish Professor Curtis Gemmel says that the results were good; but questioned if the copper would stand up to wear and tear, given the fact that copper is naturally insubstantial and is a reactive chemical when bonding with sulphate - becoming discoloured and  unattractive.

By Alex B.