Is it true that storing water for 48 hours in brass containers can kill off all bacteria?

Question

There's a study somewhere, but I can't find it, about brass being safer than plastic or even glass in regions where boiling and purification of water aren't an option. Anyone hear of this or can tell me how this might work?

Answer 1

It is reported in the Nature magazine that microbiologists who carried out the tests- led by a British microbiologist, Rob Reed- have stated that water stored in brass containers could help combat many water-borne diseases especially in developing countries where there is a tendency to use cheaper plastic containers . It has been scientifically proven that it would be better for the health. Bacteria is less likely to thrive in brass pots than in plastic ones or other kinds.

Answer 2

Hmm, might be some truth to this one. Brass is generally a composite of 2 or more metals melted together. Copper has some very toxic properties (an old cure for many aquarium fish diseases is to expose them to copper pennies for a day or two, and then change the water). If the Brass were to contain copper, then perhaps. Sorry, I don't know much about the study, but you could check out the SETAC website. Their journals should have more details on how toxic Copper is to bacteria and other life forms.

Answer 3

In Indian and Vedic Hindu culture , a great deal of importance is attached to COPPER vessels.
All utensils used for religious ceremonies are wrought in pure Copper.
In Indian villages the water is stored in Copper containers.
Indian medical practices advise drinking of water stored overnight in Copper containers.

So Copper has some germicidal properties.

Brass is an alloy and may not display them.

Answer 4

I've never heard that and doubt that it is true.