Klarinet Archive - Posting 000216.txt from 1998/11

From: Jacqueline Eastwood <eastwooj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: [kl] Key platings
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1998 18:02:51 -0500

On Thu, 5 Nov 1998, Diane Karius, Ph.D. wrote:

> 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
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
Thanks for such a thorough response! No, I don't plan to eat or lick the
keys anytime soon. I do tend to get green marks on my fingers during long
rehearsals, esp. from the thumb-hole mechanism. No, Marty, I guess we
can't sue Buffet for such cosmetic damages! Maybe we're even getting
nutritive benefits!

Jacqueline Eastwood
Business Manager, School of Music Principal Clarinet, Arizona Opera
University of Arizona 98-99 Season Website:www.azopera.com
eastwooj@-----.edu

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