Copper toxicity is related to many health concerns including heart disease, cancer, kidney damage and memory problems.

Copper toxicity in our water and supplements may lead to: [1] 

Elevated copper levels also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease  .  

·           Levels of copper in the blood were higher among people who died from coronary heart disease than among those who did not. [2]  [3]  [4] Circulating copper oxidizes LDL cholesterol. [5]  [6]  [7] Low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation is a crucial step in atherosclerosis. [8] 

·           Urine copper levels are higher in men with cardiovascular disease. [9] 

·           Researchers state “It is clear that oxidant damage contributes to many of the diseases of aging, such as atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's diseases, diabetes, diseases of inflammation, diseases of fibrosis, diseases of autoimmunity, and so on. It is equally clear that both iron and copper can contribute to excess production of damaging reactive oxygen species through Fenton chemistry.” [10]  

Most homes and businesses built prior to 1986 have metal water pipes. Most faucets and valves are brass, a copper, lead and zinc alloy. Brass is considered to be lead free if it has less than 8% lead in it. Lead is used to make the brass soft enough to make the stylish shaped faucets. Yet, that softness allows the acidic water to leach the copper and lead into the water we drink and bathe in.    

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “approximately one in eight Americans is exposed to potentially harmful microbes, pesticides, lead, or radioactive radon whenever they drink a glass of tap water or take a shower.” [11] . It’s estimated that up to 66% of the toxic metals we have in our body comes from the steam from that relaxing hot shower or bath.

“The primary sources of copper in drinking water are corroding pipes and brass components of household piping systems. Signs that drinking water may have elevated levels of copper include a metallic taste or blue to blue-green stains around sinks and plumbing fixtures. The corrosion leads to the release of copper ions and the deposit of corrosion by-products on the pipe wall. The solubility of these by-products ultimately determines the level of copper at our taps.” [12] 

The EPA continues…

“Household plumbing materials are the most common source of lead and copper in home drinking water. Corrosive water may cause metals in pipes or soldered joints to leach into your tap water. Your water’s acidity or alkalinity (often measured as pH) greatly affects corrosion. Temperature and mineral content also affect how corrosive it is. They are often used in pipes, solder, or plumbing fixtures. Lead can cause serious damage to the brain, kidneys, nervous system, and red blood cells. The age of plumbing materials — in particular, copper pipes soldered with lead — is also important. Even in low amounts these metals can be harmful”  [13]   

Your water is corrosive if its pH is less than 7.0. Higher water temperature, typical for bath and showers, dissolves the lead in the pipes and fixtures. The high water temperature dilates the blood vessels in the skin and encourages the absorption of toxins through your skin.

A chemical known as Chloramine (chlorine + ammonia) is popular as a replacement for chlorine in drinking water distribution. Water in copper pipes treated with chloramine release higher amounts of lead than water not treated with chloramine. Higher water temperatures also increase the release of lead. Lead is also common in the solder connections found in residences and business built prior to 1986. Copper concentrations are highest in water that is acidic, pH less than 7.0  [14]  [15]    Is you water acidic? Find out. Test your water pH.

Another study found water standing in copper tubing for 24 hours had a copper ion concentration of 2.4 mg/L. [16] This copper level is 1.1 mg/L higher than recommended Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) by the EPA. Metal (copper) ions are what we absorb when we drink, bathe, swim and soak in water. I’ve verified this in my own house!

Even if you have a bath or shower filter, it may not be effective in removing copper. Most shower water filters remove chlorine but may also increase the water copper levels. Most shower filters have copper and zinc in the filter. Your acidic water, pH less than 7.0, will dissolve the copper and zinc and increase the copper water concentrations in your bath and shower. Yes, copper and zinc can be toxic!

Is your shower water filter contributing to a copper toxicity? You can do a toxic metals test and copper check on your body and your shower filter. 

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that high levels of copper exposure, through overzealous fortification, supplementation, or drinking water exposure, may be possible. [17] If you have toxic amounts of copper you should not be taking a vitamin supplement with copper! Go get your supplement bottles and look at the labels right now.

Research shows that short periods of exposure to high levels of copper can cause gastrointestinal disturbance, including diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting. Using water with elevated levels of copper over many years may cause liver or kidney damage.  The seriousness of these effects can be expected to increase with increased copper levels or length of exposure. Children under one year of age are more sensitive to copper than adults. Long-term exposure (more than 14 days) to copper in drinking water which is much higher than 1,000 ug/I has been found to cause kidney and liver damage in infants. Other persons who are highly susceptible to copper toxicity include people with liver damage or Wilson's disease.  [18]    [19] 

You can filter your drinking and bathing water to significantly decrease your copper and lead exposure. You can also remove the toxic metals from your body by doing oral chelation.