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Copper in Drinking Water (2000) / Chapter Skim
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Executive Summary
Pages 1-8

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From page 1...
... Characteristics of the water, including increased acidity, increased temperature, and reduced hardness, can increase the leaching of copper into the water. Acute ingestion of excess copper in drinking water is associated with adverse health effects, including acute gastrointestinal disturbances, and chronic ingestion of copper can lead to liver toxicity in sensitive populations.
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From page 2...
... Therefore, in this report, the committee reviewed information on the health effects of copper exposure in humans following both acute and chronic oral exposure. The committee also evaluated data on the mechanisms of action of copper toxicity, the health effects associated with copper deficiencies, and factors affecting the bioavailability of copper all data that could affect the risk assessment.
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From page 3...
... were not addressed. TH E COMM ITTEE'S EVALUATION Health Effects of Excess Copper The primary health effects following acute exposure to copper are gastrointestinal disturbances, including nausea and vomiting.
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From page 4...
... In general, animal models provide qualitative insight into the toxicology of copper, but they are of limited value for establishing dose-response relationships in humans. However, animal strains that are sensitive to copper because of genetic alterations provide valuable information on the effects and mechanisms of copper-induced toxicity in genetically sensitive populations.
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From page 5...
... Such research could provide mechanistic data and information on the interactions between copper and other factors that could be used to refine risk assessments. Sensitive Populations The committee concludes that there are disorders in copper homeostasis -in some individuals that are important to consider in the regulation of copper in drinking water.
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From page 6...
... Because the MCLG is intended to be protective against copper toxicity, the committee concluded that the MCLG for drinking water should be based on toxicity, not copper deficiency. The main toxic end points of concern to the committee were nausea and vomiting following acute exposure to copper in drinking water, and liver effects in sensitive populations following chronic exposure.
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From page 7...
... Additional information on total copper doses received from drinking water is needed before systemic chronic toxicity can be evaluated in susceptible populations. Better quantification of the frequency and characterization of copper-sensitive populations should be undertaken.
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Key Terms

  • copper toxicity
  • sensitive populations
  • wilson disease
  • liver toxicity
  • excess copper

  • acute exposure
  • copper concentrations
  • chronic exposure
  • following acute
  • copper deficiency

  • gastrointestinal effects
  • gastrointestinal disturbances
  • current mclg
  • chronic effects
  • idiopathic copper

  • published study
  • following chronic
  • infantile cirrhosis
  • copper exposure
  • copper regulatory

  • tyrolean infantile
  • water copper
  • controlled study
  • copper homeostasis
  • effects following

  • acute effects
  • copper toxicosis
  • regulatory mechanisms
  • copper levels
  • effects associated


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