Klarinet Archive - Posting 000149.txt from 1998/11

From: "Diane Karius, Ph.D." <dikarius@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Key platings
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1998 18:15:49 -0500

Jecqueline Eastwood asked:
> Well, I must be the eighth wonder of the civilized world, because I've
> managed to wear nickel plate off my keywork down to the copper level
> (pretty pink metal underneath!). Can anyone tell me if it's true, that
> skin contact with this copper can be hazardous?

I did a quick MedLine search for the literature (1995 - 1998)
regarding copper and toxicity. Some details:
1. Copper is an essential micronutrient (there are more articles
involving copper deficiency than toxicity!) that aids in the
functions of many of the bodies enzymes.
2. It can have toxic effects if ingested in large quantities. All
the cases detailed in the literature involved ingestion of the copper
either via water or through ingestion of foreign objects (coins in
large quantities killled an individual due to the effects on his
liver). I found little/no evidence that skin contact with the solid
metal can produce any effect of significance. It was occassionally
linked to allergic reactions, but almost invariably, nickel was
present (and we know that can produce some very nice reactions).
3. There are a couple of genetic diseases involving excess copper
deposition in the liver (e.g. Wilson's disease). The copper at issue
there is also ingested (since copper is involved in so many processes
in the body, you ingest some anytime you eat), but the body is unable
to handle it properly. Then its toxic effects become apparent.

My initial conclusion as a scientist: skin contact with copper metal
poses little/no risk of anything, except possibly an allergic
reaction in sensitive individuals. Don't eat your keys though -
there's lots of literature detailing the dangers of that :-)!

Hope this helps.
Diane R. Karius, Ph.D.
Department of Physiology
University of Health Sciences
1750 Independence Ave.
Kansas City, MO 641o6-1453
email: dikarius@-----.EDU

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