| Description | Copper (Cu) is a d-block transition metal that occurs abundantly in nature. It is considered a micronutrient and is the third most abundant trace metal in the human body after iron and zinc (~70-100 mg). Copper supports several biological functions, primarily as a cofactor for enzymes like tyrosinase, amine oxidase and superoxide dismutase. The recommended dietary allowance for copper is ~900 μg/day. Excessive copper intake can lead to undesirable toxic effects and health conditions like liver disease. Since excessive copper intake can lead to copper toxicity, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set an upper limit for copper content in water supplies at 200 μM. Copper content in water supplies can increase due to |
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