Fewtrell L, Kay D, Jones F, Baker A, Mowat A. Copper in drinking water--an investigation into possible health effects.
Public Health 1996;
110:175-7. [PMID:
8668764 DOI:
10.1016/s0033-3506(96)80072-2]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
A study was carried out to examine the possible relationship between levels of copper in drinking water and the incidence of specified childhood liver complaints presenting at a major UK paediatric liver unit. Public drinking water supplies were generally found to have levels of copper which were well below the EC standard of 3,000 micrograms/l. In private supplies, a slightly greater number of samples were found to exceed the prescribed concentration; in one instance a value of 26,000 micrograms/l was recorded. Data describing infant patients reporting to Kings College Hospital, London with specified liver complaints were examined. Where the address of patients could be determined (220 out of 240 cases), all patients were found to live in areas served by public drinking water supplies and were, thus, unlikely to have experienced elevated drinking water copper concentrations.
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