Are copper flashlight anti-microbial?

Some copper/brass lights have some sort of clearcoat, others don’t. Those without will have antimicrobial properties.

I don’t want to know where you’re putting your flashlights that it’s a concern… Maybe you’re a plumber.

Who doesn’t puts flashlight in his mouth

Headlamp owners! :wink:

Anti microbial properties means that SOME bacterias and viruses don’t live AS LONG on its surface vs other surfaces.

As for putting flashlights in the mouth I can say that anodized aluminum tastes best :+1: no aftertaste whatsoever.

Uhhh, me. Dat just nasty…

> Can you call out any pure copper flashlights without any kind of coating?

AA Copper Tool
AAA Copper Tool

AA Copper Pineapple
AAA Copper Pineapple

AAA Copper Maratac

pic is a link

Rovyvon Copper

FW3Copper…

all the above lights have no coating

copper lights that have a coating to prevent tarnish, can be stripped using acetone.

I suggest you decide what battery type you want, then seek a copper version with that power supply.

I like nasty. That’s why I don’t like a copper light in my mouth, titanium lights on the other hand…

maybe

but what are you really expecting it to do?

i’m guessing it will lower your chance of cold or virus about .00000234%

Oligodynamic effect

The Oligodynamic Effect: How Some Metals Kill Off Bacteria

The Oligodynamic Effect: How it Works

Copper destroys MRSA at a touch

How Can Copper Pyjamas Protect You from MRSA and Skin Infections?

Use of copper alloy for preventing transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus contamination in the dermatology ward

Its very effective on door handles to reduce contamination but now they unfortunately use cheaper materials.

here is a reylight copper pineapple

pineapple is available today

I prefer the aaa Copper Tool

pocket clip for aaa Tool can be captive, hence superior

but Copper Tool is Sold out


btw, I DO NOT recommend the Brass Tool, only Copper

Cooper lights smells bad! There i said it.

they do smell bad

Many copper flashlights are uncoated. I have 3, and all are uncoated.

Copper isn’t anodized, but some manufacturers might coat the copper with a layer of plastic. Something like Protectaclear. But most copper flashlights seem completely uncoated. You can tell these ones because they develop a patina like an old penny.

Copper is antimicrobial via the oligodynamic effect. But if you’re thinking you’ll clean your hands of coronavirus by fondling your copper flashlight in your pocket you should think again.

Covid-19 can survive for up to 4 hours on copper. This is shorter than the 3 days or so on steel or aluminum, but clearly longer than is practical for most purposes.

Basically with an all-copper light, you can probably set it aside, come back 4 hours later and then reasonably assume that any Covid-19 on it is dead. Of course this only applies to the copper pieces though. Even lights made from copper have portions that are made from other materials where Covid-19 can survive longer (clip, lens, switchboot or button, etc.).

are you going to be lending your light to cv-19 patients, then taking it back to immediately use?

how often would this possibly be a problem?

SO UNLIKELY

if you expect the light to sanitize your own hands, get a grip! that will never happen. just wash them. or carry sanitizer

CV is more about drops and aerosols than hands anyway.

silver works even better, and it stick really good to copper during galvanization process. it should not be that hard to galvanize one with silver, should it?

yes some metals do have such property, but one should not expect to have his hands sanitized after holding one

the OP never said any such things, he asked for a list of copper lights and whether it is antibacterial

you have created a perfect Straw Man Argument
with the conclusion that he should wash his hands with soap

can you see how you sort of jumpted the fence there? :slight_smile:

He wants to know what flashlight to buy, and you told him to buy hand sanitizer?

now, think about this
if you can smell something on your hands after handling copper, then something IS actually happening

I call it the smell of dying germs… I dont like the smell, but I know its good for me… lol

copper is fun, its a noble metal, and in AAA there are some really cute options
the AA Copper tool is really nice too

I’m by no means a virologist, however as physician, perhaps I can clarify some concepts behind how some materials are considered superior to others in being “anti-microbial.” If you find any mistakes below, please let me know as I’m very open to learning new things.

According to this article, COVID-19 is theorized to be like other viruses in needing a certain infectious dose to cause disease, known as the ID50 number. This number is how many viruses are needed in one exposure to cause disease in 50% of exposed susceptible individuals. Therefore a single virus on any surface is highly unlikely to cause disease. Of course the more viruses, then there is an increase in likelihood of disease.

This article points to what researchers believe to be how copper kills microbes. And in the case of COVID-19, the preliminary research shows 4 hours of contact on a copper surface will reduce the number to non-detectable levels, or at least cannot be cultured. It may reduce the virus to below infectious doses before the 4 hour mark is reached. This killing process requires oxidation of copper (therefore coating to preserve the shine will greatly reduce efficacy), and increased humidity and heat can speed it up. (Good for those with sweaty hands?) And this applies to most if not all microbes, not just COVID-19.

So what does this mean for flashlights? Let’s say I use a titanium high CRI flashlight in the clinic to examine skin. Microbes on the titanium can survive longer and remain at an infectious dose for a longer period. If I use an uncoated copper flashlight, the infectious dose will remain viable for a shorter period of time, therefore reducing my chances of getting sick from contact. It’s a reduction in risk, not a guarantee.

Disease and infection are not binary, rather a process of logarithmic/exponential decreases and increases. I would prefer to carry a mildly stinky copper flashlight at work because it can reduce my chances of harboring harmful microbes on that one instrument. Of course, I would not rely upon that to increase safety. The primary measure would be wiping down all my instruments and hands with alcohol and/or washing my hands between every patient.

Sorry for the long-winded response, but I hope this might clarify the utility of copper.

I’m sold.