Environmental and health aspects of products
The impact of copper products on the environment and on health has been studied in several international projects. One of these is the EU protocol risk assessment. This considers the health impacts of human exposure to copper, environmental concentrations of copper and the possible consequences of elevated concentrations on organisms.
Other areas of study include the natural background levels of copper, their seasonal variations, bioavailability, point emission sources and diffuse emission sources. Copper products that come directly into contact with rainwater, drinking water or circulation waters are diffuse emission sources. The dissolved copper will quickly be bound to a form in which it is biologically inactive and the concentrations are not likely to be noticeably different from natural background levels.
Studies conducted so far show that dissolved copper prevents biofilm formation, algae, fungus and mould growth, and reduces the activity of humifying, decaying and digesting microbes. Organisms have a developed homeostasis that is able to regulate the intake of copper and discard any excess. Copper is an important trace element (it is essential during pregnancy for foetus development). Excessive copper intake is not harmful for humans and it does not accumulate in the organs. The acute overdose limit for a human is 6 mg/l and, as a total dose 1.2 mg. This concentration and dose have caused nausea in tests.