Spanish: Cobre
CAS#: 7440-50-8
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Copper (Cu) is an element and metal. It is found in rocks, soils, water, and air. Copper is an essential nutrient for humans and is in many foods. It’s also essential to animals and plants. Copper and substances containing copper are used in many industries in the U.S.. Copper can be found in materials and products such as wiring, plumbing, pesticides, cookware, anddietary supplements, among others. Copper scrap can be combined with other metals to make brass andbronze pipes. In the U.S., copper is mined and recovered from metal through smelting.
Ingesting copper in food is necessary for human health. Too much copper can be harmful.
It is essential for people to ingest small amounts of copper everyday in food and water. Ingesting too much or too little copper can lead to illness and/or disease. Ingesting a high amount of copper, usually in drinking water, can cause vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and/or diarrhea. Ingesting higher than recommended amounts of copper every day over time, such as in water or in copper supplements, can lead to severe illness, such as kidney and liver damage.
Breathing in copper dusts, sprays, or crystals can irritate your nose and throat, and cause dizziness and headaches. People who have ingested these substances have gotten very sick and/or died.
Copper is essential to the development of babies and children, and is found in breastmilk. Babies and children are expected to have symptoms similar to adults when exposed to high levels of copper in air, water, or food. If you have a disorder that causes copper to build up in your body, like Wilson’s disease, you may be especially vulnerable to high copper levels in air, food, or water.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has not evaluated the carcinogenicity (whether it causes cancer) of copper.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not classified if copper is carcinogenic (cancer causing) to humans.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has not evaluated the carcinogenicity of copper. IARC lists copper 8-hydroyquinoline as a group 3 agent indicating the carcinogenicity in humans cannot be classified due to lack of cancer studies in humans and animals.
There are tests to measure the amount of copper in your blood, urine, nails, and hair. Your medical provider can help decide if a test is needed and which is the most appropriate for you. High levels of copper in these tests can show if you have been exposed to a lot of copper or if there is a problem with copper regulation in the body. These tests will not predict if you will have health problems. These tests are not part of standard health tests that are done at your doctor’s office and are done through a special lab. If you think you may have been exposed to high levels of copper, talk to your doctor, nurse, or clinic, or call poison control.
If your water is metallic or bitter in taste or smell, and/or is green-blue in color this may be a sign that there is too much copper in your drinking water. If you have copper piping, it can leach into water if your home is new or recently renovated, or if your water is corrosive. Regularly cleaning or flushing out your system can help avoid this. There are tests available to check if your water is corrosive or if copper levels in your water are high.
Safely store copper powders, crystals, or dusts away from children, pets, or other adults.
Monitor your copper intake if you are adding more copper to your diet, such as by taking dietary supplements with copper, to make sure you are not eating too much. Talk to your doctor, nurse, or clinic to figure out if you are taking the proper amount of copper.
If you work with copper, wear the necessary protective clothing and equipment, and always follow safety procedures. Shower and change your clothes before going home each day.
Call CDC-INFO at 1-800-232-4636, or submit your question online at https://wwwn.cdc.gov/dcs/ContactUs/Form
Go to ATSDR’s Toxicological Profile for Copper
Go to ATSDR’s Toxic Substances Portal: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/index.aspx
If you have any more questions or concerns, you can also find & contact your ATSDR Regional Representative at https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/DRO/dro_org.html