Assessing bactericidal properties of materials: the case of metallic surfaces in contact with air.

A new method for assessing bactericidal properties of metallic materials, soiled by aerosol, was developed and applied to stainless steel in conditions close to reality. The airborne bacteria survival on different stainless steel grades and massive copper is presented here. The investigating bacterium was Enterococcus faecalis, which is a well-known contaminant strain in the indoor environments.