| Copper toxicity | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Copperiedus |
 | |
| A Kayser–Fleischer ring, copper deposits found in the cornea, is an indication the body is not metabolizing copper properly. | |
| Specialty | Toxicology |
Copper toxicity (or Copperiedus) is a type of metal poisoning caused by an excess of copper in the body. Copperiedus could occur from consuming excess copper salts, but most commonly it is the result of the genetic condition Wilson's disease and Menke's disease, which are associated with mismanaged transport and storage of copper ions. Copper is essential to human health as it is a component of many proteins. But hypercupremia (high copper level in the blood) can lead to copper toxicity if it persists and rises high enough.
Chronic toxicity by copper is rare.[1] The suggested safe level of copper in drinking water for humans varies depending on the source, but tends to be pegged at 1.3 mg/L.[2] So low is the toxicity of copper that copper(II) sulfate is a routine reagent in undergraduate chemistry laboratories.[3]
- ^ Barceloux DG, Barceloux D (1999). "Copper". Journal of Toxicology: Clinical Toxicology. 37 (2): 217–230. doi:10.1081/CLT-100102421. PMID 10382557.
- ^ "The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000".
- ^ Rodríguez E, Vicente MA (2002). "A Copper-Sulfate-Based Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory for First-Year University Students That Teaches Basic Operations and Concepts". Journal of Chemical Education. 79 (4): 486. Bibcode:2002JChEd..79..486R. doi:10.1021/ed079p486.