One of Latin America's largest theme parks has
replaced its most frequently-touched surfaces with antimicrobial copper to help
reduce the spread of germs and protect the health of its visitors.
Fantasilandia in Chile attracts more than 1.3 million visitors each year and
all of these must touch the bars of the entrance turnstiles to start their day,
potentially depositing or picking up disease-causing germs.
Copper is a powerful antimicrobial that quickly kills germs, including
influenza A, E.coli and norovirus, and even those with antibiotic resistance
such as MRSA. It shares this benefit with a range of copper alloys-including
brasses and bronzes-forming a family of materials called ‘antimicrobial
copper'.
Turnstile bars at the park have been replaced with antimicrobial copper, as
have the grab rails on one of Fantasilandia's most popular rides, the Tren
Minero rollercoaster.
Fantasilandia's General Manager, Gerardo Arteaga, says: ‘We're here to
entertain and delight, but wherever large numbers of people gather there is
naturally a risk of infection spreading between them. Of course, hand washing
is very important to prevent the spread of infection, but we wanted to provide
some extra protection to our visitors, so that the only thing they take away
with them is happy memories.'
For more information on the antimicrobial properties of copper, visit www.antimicrobialcopper.org
