Contents
Copper in water
What is copper like?
Copper is a malleable, ductile, slightly corrosive metal, widely used in industry.
It can be found in electrical wiring, as a component of many machine parts, kitchen utensils, manufacture of insecticides, paints, fertilizers, food additives, colorings, etc.
Where does copper in body come from?
Most copper comes from food. It is estimated that the western population usually takes 1 to 3 mg a day.
The additional intake of copper through the water is between 0.1 and 1 mg daily.
Nails and hair are human body parts that have higher concentrations of copper together with the liver.
Among the copper-rich foods we have shellfish and liver. Among vegetables in can be especially found in grapes or dried fruits.
Functions of copper in the body?
Copper is an essential nutrient for humans. The minimal recommended dose for adults is 900 micrograms (millionths of a gram) is necessary for the incorporation of hemoglobin in the blood, so that a copper deficiency can cause anemia.
The nervous system and many hormones need copper to function properly. It has been obserbed that people with copper deficiency showed high cholesterol, hair problems and skin problems. It is particularly recommended during pregnancy and lactation.
Children suffering from Menkes syndrome have problems in copper absorption which is manifested in abnormalities of the hair, and skeletal disorders. It is a very serious disease that leads to death at an early age due to lack of copper in cells.
Problems with too much copper in the body
Water can have too much copper
The opposite case is Wilson’s disease, other disease of genetic nature in which the body accumulates too much copper, mainly in the liver, nervous system and eyes.
Fortunately, this condition can be solved today by means of administering those drugs needed to eliminate the copper in the urine.
An early detection is the most important thing in this case to treat it appropriately with the right medication and a diet low in copper.
Why can water be polluted with copper?
Oxidation of objects made from copper produces mainly the incorporation of copper into the water. Copper intake through tap water may be possible in places where this water is polluted by this mineral, which can occur in areas near copper mines.
Copper from water mainly comes from by dissolution of this mineral from the copper pipes.
Too much copper in the water is bad for health (See copper toxicity)
* Related information:
– Wilson’s disease or excess of copper in the body.
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