Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has become the first airport to utilize antimicrobial copper on high-touch surfaces as a means to protect the health and safety of travellers, visitors, and staff.

The installation of the element, which is proven to continuously kill bacteria and reduce the spread of infection, is being conducted in partnership with Teck Resources Limited through YVR’s Innovation Hub and Teck’s Copper & Health program.

Through the partnership, nearly 1,000 antimicrobial copper applications have already been installed baggage carts, water fountains and washrooms throughout the terminal, as well as YVR’s offices, with plans to expand the installation.

Partnering with Teck’s Copper & Health program adds an extra layer of reassurance to help YVR deliver a safe, healthy, and seamless experience for everyone travelling through the airport, say execs at Canada’s second largest airport.

Copper has unique antimicrobial properties and is proven effective in eliminating up to 99.9% of harmful bacteria within two hours, thereby helping reduce the spread of infection. The measure is being used in addition to normal cleaning procedures to reduce the spread of bacteria as tens of thousands of passengers move throughout the airport each day.

This YVR and Teck initiative is the latest in a series of contributions through Teck’s Copper & Health program to expand the use of antimicrobial copper, which also includes partnerships with numerous British Colombia hospitals, post-secondary educational institutions, and on public transit in Vancouver and Toronto.