Copper in Drinking Water

The safety of the nation's drinking water must be maintained to ensure the health of the public. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for regulating the levels of substances in the drinking water supply. Copper can leach into drinking water from the pipes in the distribution system, and the allowable levels are regulated by the EPA. The regulation of copper, however, is complicated by the fact that it is both necessary to the normal functioning of the body and toxic to the body at too high a level. The National Research Council was requested to form a committee to review the scientific validity of the EPA's maximum contaminant level goal for copper in drinking water. Copper in Drinking Water outlines the findings of the committee's review. The book provides a review of the toxicity of copper as well as a discussion of the essential nature of this metal. The risks posed by both short-term and long-term exposure to copper are characterized, and the implications for public health are discussed. This book is a valuable reference for individuals involved in the regulation of water supplies and individuals interested in issues surrounding this metal. Annotation A report commissioned by the US Congress to evaluate the toxicological, epidemiological, and exposure data on copper and to determine whether the Environmental Protection Agency's maximum level for copper in drinking water is scientifically valid. The Agency set the level in 1991, and some states and municipalities have difficulty maintaining it because of the characteristics of their water. The Committee recommends that the level not be raised until further studies are conducted, especially on possible genetic risk. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Introduction -- Physiological Role Of Copper -- Health Effects Of Copper Deficiencies -- Disorders Of Copper Homeostasis -- Health Effects Of Excess Copper -- Risk Characterization. Committee On Copper In Drinking Water, Board On Environmental Studies And Toxicology, Commission On Life Sciences, National Research Council. This Project Was Supported By Cooperative Agreement No. Cr827277-01 Between The National Academy Of Sciences And The U.s. Environmental Protection Agency--t.p. Verso. Includes Bibliographical References. The National Research Council was requested to form a committee to review the scientific validity of the EPA's maximum contaminant level goal for copper in drinking water. This book outlines the findings of the committee's review. It provides a review of the toxicity of copper, as well as a discussion of the essential nature of this metal.