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This is the text that I posted on one of the repair forums that I haunt:

I saw a 'blurb' on a newscast a couple of days ago about a scientist who is working on ways to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria (including MRSA) in operating room environments. Having heard many discussions about the alleged hazards of working with brass music instruments (which have a very high percentage of copper), this topic greatly interested me. You just don't hear any stories about folks picking up any of these dreaded little germs from working with music instruments. This might be the reason why there seem to be so few documented cases. If you want some interesting reading, try Googling 'how copper kills bacteria'.

Comments?

Allthumbs wrote:Although there must be some "maladies" associated with carrying, holding, and playing these big beasts. (And I'm not talking about the associated fondness for beer and food )

Of course, fondness for beer and food are certainly not to be considered "maladies." IMHO

I found this article on copper.org, if you need more info go there.

Copper and its alloys, brass and bronze, are naturally antimicrobial materials. Recent laboratory research performed under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved protocols demonstrated that copper alloy surfaces kill more than 99.9% of several bacteria known to be human pathogens within two hours. Tests were conducted at room temperature and under normal humidity conditions. The organisms tested were:

* Staphylococcus aureus
* Enterobacter aerogenes
* Escherichia coli O157:H7
* Pseudomonas aeruginosa and
* Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

275 copper alloys, including brass and bronze, have been registered with the US EPA as antimicrobial materials that kill these bacteria. The materials offer a wide range of mechanical and aesthetic properties that make them ideal for use as antibacterial surfaces. Copper alloys are the first solid materials ever to be granted such registration. Typically, this type of registration has been granted to liquids (or aerosols) and gases under the categories of sanitizers and disinfectants.

Frequently-touched surfaces in healthcare and other community facilities including public and commercial buildings can become contaminated with bacteria. Using uncoated copper alloys can be an effective way to kill the bacteria on these surfaces.

I recently read that germ killing is one of the benefits of brass doorknobs. But, there is no question that fungus manages to live happily in a brass horn with sufficient crud in it.

Hi-
If you have a serious cold/flu/respiratory infection and think you may be harboring germs,etc. inside your horn/mouthpiece(s), a do it yourself at home way to clean a tuba/mouthpiece(s) is to pour 'hydrogen peroxide' inside the horn/mouthpiece, and rinse with water--anyone knows who has had surgery/incision/etc. that using hydrogen peroxide on yourself is painless, works great, and is very cheap.
Regards-
mark
jonestuba@Juno.com" target="_blank

JohnH wrote:Check this out:

http://www.ntnu.no/gemini/2002-06e/39.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

17 year old girl with recurring pneumonia, traced to a school baritone horn. Interesting article.

The articles I've read on this subject indicate that bacteria is killed by contact with raw brass. I suppose if enough crud gathers in the horn, those nasty bacteria couldn't get to the raw brass. At any rate, it's an interesting concept.

I read something somewhere about a disease called "Tuba Lips" in which the lips swell excessively. Obviously this is just the slang name for it, but it sounds plausible.

But what about viruses? Those can be tough little SOBs.

I think unless you share mouthpieces, you should probably be fine from any viruses or bacteria. Unless you enjoy drinking from the spit valve. Hmmm...

TubaCoopa wrote:I think unless you share mouthpieces, you should probably be fine from any viruses or bacteria. Unless you enjoy drinking from the spit valve. Hmmm...

OK, so three tuba players go into a bar.
The bartender barks, "What'll it be, guys?"
The first: "Whiskey. Straight. Leave the bottle."
The second: "Beer. A Pitcher. Keep it coming."
The third: "I'll have a glass of sour milk...in a dirty glass...."