How to Spot Copper Poisoning

We come into contact with copper daily when we handle coins, electrical wiring and some cookware. Although the human body has a daily requirement for copper, too much can be so toxic it can produce serious health problems.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Note any hair and skin discoloration. Physical contact with excessive amounts of copper will turn your body hair green, although the color may be light. If you ingest excessive copper or copper compounds, your skin and eyes may appear jaundiced.
2. Recall if you may have experienced low-level exposure to copper or copper compounds. Most cases of copper poisoning occur in people with long-term exposure to higher than normal levels. Mineworkers or ore processors who have worked in copper mines are particularly susceptible. This long-term exposure can produce organ damage, with the liver and kidneys vulnerable to attack. Wilson's disease, a genetic condition, obstructs the body's ability to excrete copper.
3. Watch for diarrhea, especially it's blue. Many of the symptoms of copper poisoning mimic the sighs of other conditions, except for the coloration changes. Other common symptoms include convulsions, abdominal cramping, nausea and weakness. The simultaneous onset of these symptoms would indicate a need for medical assistance.