Answer: Our sinks have a “Living finish”. This means that our copper is not treated, laqured or sealed in any way. Copper Sinks Direct hand fires the copper to it’s rich dark patina (color). This is known as pre-aging the copper. Over time, copper naturally darkens via oxidation, the use of water and then the air drying of the sink.

Acidic foods like tomato products and lemons and other citrus can cause the patina to lighten. Not to worry, the sink will darken back down with use.

To lessen the effects of changing patina, use CopperSinkCare products as they are natural, products that are safe for food use.

Check back for more questions and answers for Copper Sinks Direct.

To everyone else,thank you for answering all my question. Here are some pictures of before & after.

Thank you once again for everything!

Monte & Kim

The study further found that copper touch surfaces can significantly reduce the concentration of influenza a virus on them, raising hopes that it may also be effective against other strains of the virus. About 75% of influenza is knocked out in 1 hour on a copper surface and almost completely in 6 hours. The findings are timely given the current influenza H1N1 pandemic currently sweeping the world. But even more common forms of flu are a major global health issue.

The recent threat of swine flu has emerged as the most important health concern in India and has triggered the need to use the most protective and efficient measures to reduce its spread in public places. While people have been advised to be alert, wash hands regularly, avoid crowded places like cinema halls, shopping complexes, malls etc, International Copper Promotion Council finds an opportunity for more copper uses in public places as the metal has the capability to combat the spread of the H1N1 virus.

Mr Keevil said that “There is no single answer to controlling the spread of pathogenic microorganisms but copper surfaces may contribute to the number of control barriers able to reduce transmission of the virus.”

H1N1 virus appears to be transmitted the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

In 2008, the US Environmental Protection Agency approved the registration of antimicrobial copper alloys with public health claims acknowledging that copper, brass and bronze are capable of killing harmful, potentially deadly bacteria. Copper and copper alloy surfaces kill greater than 99.9% of bacteria within 2 hours and continue to kill more than 99% of bacteria even after repeated contamination. Therefore, it has been recognized that the use of copper touch surfaces in hospitals, educational institutions, public buildings, public transport and food preparation areas can reduce the spread of harmful infections.

Copper and its alloys are available in a variety of forms like door handles, grab rails and bathroom fixtures etc. which are regular touch surfaces and can work to demonstrate reduced build up and transfer of infectious pathogens.

Mr Ajit Advani deputy regional director Asia, International Copper Association Limited and CEO of ICPCI said that “In India, we have known about the protective properties of copper since the vedic ages. This has now been corroborated by modern science. Use of this wonder metal in public touch surfaces can go a long way in reducing the spread of infections such as influenza.”

Source: http://steelguru.com/news/index/2009/08/22/MTA4MTYy/Copper_use_in_public_places_can_help_combat_flu.html

Copper doorhandles may help prevent the spread of germs. The antimicrobial effects of copper have been known for thousands of years, but recent studies have shown that the antibiotic-resistant superbug MRSA (Golden Staph) that is commonly found in hospitals, cannot survive on copper surfaces for more than 90 minutes

In contrast, the more common stainless steel surfaces allow germs to survive for days, and can only be effectively cleaned using antiseptics, which need to be frequently reapplied and can cause allergic reactions in some people.

This means that reducing the spread of germs around our homes and offices may be as simple as installing copper doorhandles, and copper versions of other fittings with frequent human contact like taps, faucets, push plates and elevator buttons. The copper-containing alloys brass and bronze are also effective, but take longer to kill germs.

Source: http://herestrouble.com/archive/copper-doorhandles-fittings-might-keep-you-healthy/

I have long been concerned about the proliferation of antibacterial chemicals in our hand-soaps and household cleaning products – these accumulate in the environment and give rise to ever more virulent “superbugs.”

So I was pleased to learn of atrial that indicates that making door handles, sink fixtures and light switches from copper could help to keep hospitals sterile.

A study found that copper fittings rapidly killed microbeson hospital wards, succeeding where other infection control measures failed. In the trial at Selly Oak hospital, in Birmingham, England, copper sink fixtures, toilet seats and push plates on doors all but eliminated common bacteria. Lab tests show that the metal kills off the deadly MRSA and C difficile superbugs.

During the ten-week trial on a medical ward, a set of sink fixtures, a lavatory seat and a push plate on an entrance door were replaced with copper versions. They were swabbed twice a day for infectious agents and the results compared with a traditional sink fixture, lavatory seat and pushplate elsewhere in the ward.

The copper items had up to 95 per cent fewer germs on their surfaces whenever they were tested.

Our copper sinks are comprised of approx. 97% pure copper with the trace addition of Zinc and Phosphorus. The two additional elements are beneficial in the durability of a copper sinks, and it helps in the manufacturing process of the sinks. In the smelting process, the laminadora specifically adds Zinc to the batch. The Phosphorus is typically already included in the copper, due to the fact the copper scrap, plumbing pipes, wire, ect, all are made with an Alloy of copper that contains Phosphorus for additional durability.

Our products are much different then others been sold in the US. We have had our shop IAPMO certified, and we also only use certified SEMARNAT materials. SEMARNAT, is the environmental agency that inspects and certifies smelters or what are called “Laminadoras” in Mexico. Laminadora Patzcuaro, where all of our raw materials are produced, is the only smelter that is certified and is annually inspected by the Mexican version of the EPA to ensure low emissions, and to ensure they are environmentally friendly.

Their Certification is posted here:

http://app1.semarnat.gob.mx/retc/establecimiento/resestabsustres.php?nra=LPAEA1607911&ano=2004

Copper Sinks Direct is now receiving new shipments daily to keep up with demand. Should it be a rush, our sinks can be shipped direct to the customer from our Mexico Distribution Center.

Custom orders are shipped direct from Mexico in less than 2 weeks time door to door.

If you are looking for a copper sink, look no further, Copper Sinks Direct has the most extensive collection of copper sinks on the market.

Custom orders welcomed.