# Copper ball claims **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 27, 2020, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-ball-claims/916458 "2020-07-27T07:25:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2020, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-ball-claims/916458/1 "2020-07-27T07:25:54Z")
I won’t provide a link to it(if you wish to look for it, it is called the “Trance Metals Solid Ooligodynamic Copper Sphere”), but there are adverts on Facebook and elsewhere for a 99.9% pure 1 kilogram copper ball that claim that merely holding the ball will kill germs. Is this fact, or fiction? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2020, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-ball-claims/916458/2 "2020-07-27T07:37:45Z")
Copper does have antimicrobial properties and has been used for that purpose for a very long time. I don’t know how effective juggling a copper ball would be, but the underlying claim is not woo. > **[Metallic Copper as an Antimicrobial Surface](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3067274/)** > > Bacteria, yeasts, and viruses are rapidly killed on metallic copper surfaces, and the term “contact killing” has been coined for this process. While the phenomenon was already known in ancient times, it is currently receiving renewed attention. ... ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2020, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-ball-claims/916458/3 "2020-07-27T07:38:16Z")
I’m gonna WAG it’s fake. I have no real knowledge of it or a cite. But that copper bracelet and those copper infused socks and sportswear are fake. Even the stupid copper skillet doesn’t work. I ordered that and it’s junk. Copper is new fun thing to add to anything these companies think. I even saw copper infused dog collars. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2020, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-ball-claims/916458/4 "2020-07-27T07:40:44Z")
It is true that bacteria do not grow on copper doorknobs, but they do flourish on your hand. Even if holding a ball tightly for a couple of hours did affect them slightly, it would be much faster, as well as actually effective, to just wash your hands and maybe use some alcohol or chlorhexidine afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2020, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-ball-claims/916458/5 "2020-07-27T07:44:38Z")
There’s a pretty extensive Wikipedia article summarizing the research on the antimicrobial properties of metallic copper surfaces. This is more with a view to using copper alloys instead of (say) stainless steel for work surfaces in the healthcare industry. > **[Antimicrobial properties of copper | Antimicrobial efficacy of copper alloy touch surfaces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimicrobial_properties_of_copper#Antimicrobial_efficacy_of_copper_alloy_touch_surfaces)** > > Copper alloy surfaces have intrinsic properties to destroy a wide range of microorganisms. In the interest of protecting public health, especially in healthcare environments with their susceptible patient populations, an abundance of peer-reviewed antimicrobial efficacy studies have been conducted in the past ten years regarding copper's efficacy to destroy E. coli O157:H7, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus, Clostridium difficile, influenza A virus, adenovirus, an... So if you hold a 1kg copper ball for an hour, no doubt it will kill some germs on your hands; but I’d wager 30 seconds washing your hands with soap and water is more effective. Likewise, dropping a 1kg copper ball on a mouse would probably kill it with a direct hit; but a mousetrap is probably a more reliable method. Copper salt solutions are also commonly used as a fungicide, copper solutions are officially “organic”, for what little that’s worth. Copper is much more toxic to bacteria and fungi than to plants or animals. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2020, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-ball-claims/916458/6 "2020-07-27T07:46:15Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Copper is new fun thing to add to anything these companies think. I even saw copper infused dog collars. I saw some copper electrical cables and they work great… I have seen copper hull paint (in the old days they just used solid copper plates) but those may be banned by now, not sure. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2020, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-ball-claims/916458/7 "2020-07-27T07:47:46Z")
So, spending $149 on $6.44 worth of copper might not be a cost effective way to kill germs? ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2020, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-ball-claims/916458/8 "2020-07-27T07:59:44Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > I have seen copper hull paint (in the old days they just used solid copper plates) but those may be banned by now, not sure. And now the sea is full of germs again. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2020, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-ball-claims/916458/9 "2020-07-27T08:38:30Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > So if you hold a 1kg copper ball for an hour, no doubt it will kill some germs on your hands; but I’d wager 30 seconds washing your hands with soap and water is more effective. Likewise, dropping a 1kg copper ball on a mouse would probably kill it with a direct hit; but a mousetrap is probably a more reliable method. Wait, so the copper can be used for both microscopic AND macroscopic pests? Sold! ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2020, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-ball-claims/916458/10 "2020-07-27T11:33:00Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > This is more with a view to using copper alloys instead of (say) stainless steel for work surfaces in the healthcare industry. With no need for the “99.9% pure” copper in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2020, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-ball-claims/916458/11 "2020-07-27T20:07:22Z")
Somewhat off topic, but a 1kg sphere of copper would have a [volume of about 120 cubic cm](https://www.aqua-calc.com/calculate/volume-to-weight), and a [diameter of about 6.2 cm, 2.5"](https://www.calculateme.com/shape-volume/sphere/120-centimeters). If cheap enough it could be fairly satisfying to hold. Better buy some Brasso too though. Pure Copper tarnishes pretty quickly. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2020, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-ball-claims/916458/12 "2020-07-27T20:11:23Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Likewise, dropping a 1kg copper ball on a mouse would probably kill it with a direct hit; but a mousetrap is probably a more reliable method. Unless it’s Mighty Mouse. Then you’ll find yourself with a cartoonishly perfect hole through your body. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2020, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-ball-claims/916458/13 "2020-07-29T22:39:08Z")
People who believe holding a copper ball is an effective germ-killer have already lost 99.9% of their functioning neurons. Holding an orb, on the other hand, works great. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/KAKWKfVcd04/hqdefault.jpg "Sleeper 1973 The Orb Woody Allen") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAKWKfVcd04) ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-ball-claims/916458/14 "2020-07-31T10:20:49Z")
I’ve been interested in this topic for some time, and the evidence does seem clear to me that copper kills germs. It’s just not that powerful a method compared to hand washing, sanitizers, and the like. Now, if door knobs and other public handles play a role in disease transmission, making them of copper probably would prevent some cases. Until people stole them, that is. ---
**Author:** ![jjakucyk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3d9bf3/32.png) [@jjakucyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjakucyk)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-ball-claims/916458/15 "2020-07-31T12:51:55Z")
> [@Napier](#): > > Now, if door knobs and other public handles play a role in disease transmission, making them of copper probably would prevent some cases. Until people stole them, that is. Brass and bronze are the preferred metals for door hardware in situations like that, since they’re still mostly copper (66% for brass and 88% for bronze generally). Of course to have antimicrobial properties they need to remain un-lacquered, so no “lifetime finish.” The statistic I heard is that these materials can self-sterilize in about eight minutes. That’s pretty good, but not compared to hand sanitizer, bleach, or Lysol. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-ball-claims/916458/16 "2020-07-31T13:13:43Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > So, spending $149 on $6.44 worth of copper might not be a cost effective way to kill germs? Well, somebody had to roll all that copper into a ball. That’s gotta be worth something. Right? Plus shipping and handling. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-ball-claims/916458/17 "2020-07-31T13:24:25Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > **Well, somebody had to roll all that copper into a ball.** That’s gotta be worth something. Right? Plus shipping and handling. It’s good to know that the supers have something to do while in hiding. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-ball-claims/916458/18 "2020-07-31T13:24:56Z")
IIRC that the rise in cases of Legionnaire’s disease correlated with when air conditioning units changed from making their evaporator coils from copper/brass to aluminum. Aluminum is inert on the surface so the damp environment let bacteria grow, where the old copper/brass coils would inhibit them. ---
**Author:** ![Galactus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galactus/32/3581_2.png) [@Galactus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galactus)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-ball-claims/916458/19 "2020-07-31T18:03:51Z")
Here is an interesting related article. > **[Putting Copper in Hospitals - NeuroLogica Blog](https://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/putting-copper-in-hospitals/)** > > The evidence for this has been building over the last few years, and we are now at the point where it is reasonable to act on the evidence. Replacing wood, plastic, and stainless steel surfaces in hospitals with those either made of copper or... ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2020, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-ball-claims/916458/20 "2020-08-01T13:37:52Z")
Relevant excerpt: “I do feel obligated to point out at this point that wearing copper bracelets or other jewelry is of no benefit. [This is pseudoscience](https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/copper-and-magnetic-bracelets-for-arthritis/)and has nothing to do with the legitimate antimicrobial properties of copper.” So, if you spend $$$ to retrofit your home, replacing countertops and other surfaces with copper, you’d likely reduce bacterial and viral counts on those surfaces. Carrying around a copper ball will be effective only in enriching scamsters, not in preventing disease. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copper-ball-claims/916458.md?page=2)