Man has benefited from copper’s inherent antimicrobial properties since the dawn of civilisation, yet it is only in the last 10-20 years that scientific studies have been conducted to properly evaluate the metal’s potential in reducing contamination in critical environments such as hospitals and food processing facilities.  Angela Vessey at Copper Development Association looks into why in the healthcare sector, the level of laboratory and clinical evidence has stimulated demand for incorporating copper into touch surface hot-spots in the fight against healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs).