Metal alloys with copper can destroy human norovirus, according to a study in Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
Researchers tested five different copper alloys and used stainless steel as a control surface. They placed human fecal samples that contained the infectious virus, or a virus-like particle, onto each surface and tested the survival of the virus.
The virus remained stable on the stainless steel surface, but 10 minutes of exposure on the copper surfaces resulted in the destruction of the human norovirus' receptor-binding ability.
"Perhaps these copper surfaces can be used on high-touch surfaces, like door knobs, hand rails, and so forth, to prevent environmental transmission of the virus," the study's author said.