ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a detailed discussion on the occurrence and production, uses, chemical and physical properties, exposure and exposure limits, toxicokinetics, and effects of copper in humans. Native (elemental) copper was one of the first metals used by man. Copper is ubiquitous in the earth's crust, primarily found as sulfides and oxides. Major ores include chalcopyrite, cuprite, malachite, azurite, and bornite. Metallic copper is prepared by smelting and electrolytic refining. About half of copper production is used as a conductor in electrical equipment due to its high conductivity. It is used in many alloys: berylliurn-copper, brass, bronze, gunmetal, bell metal, german silver, etc. Copper forms two series of salts: cuprous and cupric. Both oxidation states are involved in many stable complexes, such as Cu(NH3)6Cl2. The effects of copper in humans include information on acute toxicity, chronic toxicity, biochemistry, specific organs and systems, teratogenicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity.
