Copper is being used against a tomato fungus,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytophthora_infestans
Some 30 years ago I read that humans evolved to
be more tolerant to copper than animals because
of the copper and bronze age.
What I could find about the physiological effects:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-08/ip-elo082113.php
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-06/ncsu-cfp061311.php
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-05/uotm-hic052011.php
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-11/uorm-cdp110407.php
http://www.innovations-report.de/html/berichte/biowissenschaften_chemie/bericht-71135.html
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-12/uos-nss120412.php
Regards,
Joachim (not a medic)
Hi, I think this information is also useful: http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/factsheets/copper_red_fs.pdf
Cheers, Nadine
The metallic copper is an excellent larvicide for the control of Aedes albopictus in small collections of water. The problem is that the toxic effect of copper on the insect is given by the release of copper ions and when these waters are dispersed in the environment are pollutants.
Man the metallic copper does not have acute toxic effects. The toxicity of copper increases if oxychloride or sulfate.
Copper is found in both plant and animal tissues, both as essential and non-essential. I have read somewhere that copper accumulates in the liver, brain, corneal tissue, and, occasionally, kidney. In general, there is excessive total body retention of copper owing to failure of its biliary excretion. The liver copper deposition leads to cirrhosis and the brain accumulation to movement disorders and intellectual impairment. Deposition in the cornea is responsible for the characteristic Kayser-Fleischer rings. Also, sudden hepatic necrosis of the copper-burdened liver can release sufficient amounts of free copper into the circulation to produce intravascular hemolysis.
On the toxicity of copper that can accumulate in the body there is no doubt. It is always necessary to evaluate the routes of exposure. Exposure to metallic copper (wire, rod, plate) is definitely lower than, for example exposure to dust or compounds.
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