Copper in Drinking Water, Nebraska, 1994

Abstract

In 1993, the levels of copper (Cu) in much of Nebraska's drinking water exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) action level of 1.3 mg/L. To determine the association of copper with gastrointestinal (GI) illness in August 1994 the authors interviewed persons living in households with 1993 Cu levels > 3 mg/L (51 households), 2-3 mg/L (54 households), and < 1.3 mg/L (43 households). Cases were defined as persons who had experienced the rapid onset of vomiting or nausea with abdominal pain during the preceding two weeks. To validate their exposure index, the authors immediately resampled drinking water in the households of 25 cases and 27 controls matched for age. Reassessment in December 1994 of the exposure and case status of the original cohort showed no association between copper in drinking water in 1993 and case status in 1994. The risk of GI illness seemed no greater with Cu > 3 mg/L (RR = 1.03; 95% CI = 0.43, 2.49) or 2-3 mg/L (RR = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.18, 1.41) than with Cu < 1.3 mg/L. The 1993 Cu concentrations could not be reproduced in August 1994; resampling in December 1994 again showed no association between GI illness and Cu exposure (RR > 1.3-2.9 mg/L, < or = 1.3 mg/L = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.10, 0.64, and RR > or = 3.0 mg/L, < or = 1.3 mg/L = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.09, 1.49).

Acute gastrointestinal effects of graded levels of copper in drinking water.

“…The response followed a polynomial function as noted in Figure 2, suggesting that tolerance was induced over time. In contrast, the time distribution of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting was consistent throughout the study (seven in (10)(11)(12). Hepatic damage has been reported when copper is ingested chronically at extremely high intake, >30 mg/day (16)(17)(18).…”

“…Acute copper toxicity is infrequent in humans and is usually the consequence of consumption of contaminated foodstuffs or beverages, including drinking water, or from accidental or deliberate ingestion of high quantities of copper salts. Acute symptoms include excessive salivation, epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (10)(11)(12). Intravascular hemolytic anemia, acute hepatic failure, acute tubular renal failure, shock, coma, and death have been observed in severe copper poisoning (5,7).…”

Aluminum and copper in drinking water enhance inflammatory or oxidative events specifically in the brain

“…The lower Al exposure is in the range of concentrations reported to be associated with an increased risk of AD. The present EPA maximum recommended standard for Cu in drinking water is 1.3 ppm (Buchanan et al, 1999). However, levels as high as 7.8 ppm has been found in tap water (Spitalny et al, 1984).…”

Low concentrations of copper in drinking water increase AP-1 binding in the brain

“…The present Environmental Protection Agency's maximum recommended standard for Cu in drinking water is 1.3 ppm (Buchanan et al, 1999). However, the levels can be as high as 7.8 mg/L in tap water that has been stagnant overnight in corrosive Cu pipes (Spitalny et al, 1984) and as high as 5 mg/L in running tap water (Pizarro et al, 2001).…”