In Pursuit of Purity: From Tradition to Innovation
Across civilizations and throughout history, copper has been revered for its intrinsic antimicrobial properties, positioning it as a stalwart choice for water purification. Through rigorous scientific inquiry, studies conducted by esteemed researchers such as D. Patel, Prashant Kumar Shrivastava, and Ravi Manne have elucidated the profound impact of copper on water quality.
In a seminal study by Patel et al., the efficacy of copper vessels in mitigating biological contamination from drinking water was rigorously examined. Their findings revealed that water stored in copper vessels exhibited a remarkable reduction in coliform and total bacterial counts, achieving a 90% reduction in coliform.
Similarly, research conducted by Manne et al. underscored the safety and efficacy of copper containers for water storage. Despite a gradual increase in copper concentration over time, ranging from 0.009 to 0.823 mg/L after 168 hours, the water remained well within the safe limits prescribed by the World Health Organization and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Furthermore, insights from studies such as those by Sharan et al. and Preethi Sudha et al. elucidate copper's historical and contemporary significance in water purification practices. From ancient Ayurvedic traditions to modern clinical trials, the evidence is resoundingly clearβcopper is not only a symbol of purity but also a catalyst for healthier hydration.
In Pursuit of Purity: From Tradition to Innovation
Across civilizations and throughout history, copper has been revered for its intrinsic antimicrobial properties, positioning it as a stalwart choice for water purification. Through rigorous scientific inquiry, studies conducted by esteemed researchers such as D. Patel, Prashant Kumar Shrivastava, and Ravi Manne have elucidated the profound impact of copper on water quality.
In a seminal study by Patel et al., the efficacy of copper vessels in mitigating biological contamination from drinking water was rigorously examined. Their findings revealed that water stored in copper vessels exhibited a remarkable reduction in coliform and total bacterial counts, achieving a 90% reduction in coliform.
Similarly, research conducted by Manne et al. underscored the safety and efficacy of copper containers for water storage. Despite a gradual increase in copper concentration over time, ranging from 0.009 to 0.823 mg/L after 168 hours, the water remained well within the safe limits prescribed by the World Health Organization and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Furthermore, insights from studies such as those by Sharan et al. and Preethi Sudha et al. elucidate copper's historical and contemporary significance in water purification practices. From ancient Ayurvedic traditions to modern clinical trials, the evidence is resoundingly clearβcopper is not only a symbol of purity but also a catalyst for healthier hydration.
Researches & Insights
β Before we had antibiotics β before we even knew what bacteria were β we already knew that copper had this "magical quality" that stopped diseases. The earliest recorded medical use of copper is from around 4,500 years ago, where it was described as being used to sterilise wounds and drinking water. β
Researches & Insights
β Before we had antibiotics β before we even knew what bacteria were β we already knew that copper had this "magical quality" that stopped diseases. The earliest recorded medical use of copper is from around 4,500 years ago, where it was described as being used to sterilise wounds and drinking water. β
β When drinking-water contaminated with bacteria was stored in copper pots for 16 hours at room temperature, no bacteria could be recovered on the culture medium. The health benefit that can be achieved by using copper pot as a point-of-use water-purification device will far outweigh the cost of the pot. Copper vessels are passive, requiring no fuel, electricity, or replaceable filters to operate or maintain. β
β Copper is an essential trace element in human diet as it is directly involved in maintenance and development of immune system as well as the functioning of several enzymes, bone strength, red and white cell maturation and brain development. β
β Now in hospitals there are many successful trials where they replace touch surfaces β door handles, light switches β with copper or copper alloys. If bacteria come into contact with the surface they die really rapidly. It's called contact killing. β
β The findings of the present study on the effect of dissolved organic constituents on the inactivation of E. coli in copper water storage vessels confirm some of the observations of previous studies, which have shown that complex organic matter present in freshwaters can bind in excess of 99% of metal ions such as copper at pH 7.0. β
β Water stored in a copper container for up to 168 hours showed an increase in copper concentration over time, ranging from 0.009 to 0.823 mg/L. The highest copper content was detected after 168 hours, but it remained within safe limits according to both the World Health Organization and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. β
β An attempt was made to study the best method among the Copper, Silver treatment, earthen pot or Plastic jugs for removal of biological contamination from drinking water for domestic use. The result revealed that copper vessel showed maximum inhibitory effect on coliform as well as total bacterial count at 12 hrs and 24 hrs. β
References List
V.B. Preethi Sudha, Sheeba Ganesan, G.P. Pazhani, T. Ramamurthy, G.B. Nair, Padma Venkatasubramanian (2012)
Storing Drinking-water in Copper pots Kills Contaminating Diarrhoeagenic Bacteria.
Maggini S, Wintergerst ES, Beveridge S, Hornig DH (2007)
Selected vitamins and trace elements support immune function by strengthening epithelial barriers and cellular and humoral immune responses. Brit J Nutr 98:S29βS35.
Riti Sharan, Sanjay Chhibber, Savita Verma Attri (2010)
Inactivation and sub-lethal injury of Escherichia coli in a copper water storage vessel: effect of inorganic and organic constituents.
Maria Linder, Maryam Hazegh (1996)
Copper biochemistry and molecular biology, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 63(5):797S-811S.
Tandon P, Chhibber S, Reed RH (2005)
Inactivation of Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria in traditional brass earthernware water storage vessels. Ant van Leeuw 88:35β48.
Tambe PV, Daswani PG, Mistry NF, Ghadge AA, Antia NH (2008)
A community-based bacteriological study of quality of drinking water and its feedback to a rural community in western Maharashtra, India. J Health Popul Nutr 26:139β150
Durham University's Assistant Professor Karrera Djoko (2019)
Copper water bottles might look great, but do their health 'benefits' stack up?, ABC Science
Bryan SE, Tipping E, Taylor-Hamilton J (2002)
Comparison of measured and modelled copper binding by natural organic matter in freshwaters. Comp Biochem Physiol C 133:37β49
May Alherek and Onita D Basu (2023)
Impact of low levels of silver, zinc and coppernanoparticles on bacterial removal andpotential synergy in water treatmentapplications, Wiley Online Library
V. B. Preethi Sudha, K Ojit Singh, S R Prasad, Padma Venkatasubramanian (2009)
Killing of enteric bacteria in drinking water by a copper device for use in the home: laboratory evidence, Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg.
D. Patel, Prashant Kumar Shrivastava, Dhiraj Patel (2014)
Economical solution to remove microbes from harvested roof water, Ecology Environment and Conservation 20:S143-S148.