Understanding the Importance of Copper in Health and Environment

Copper: Chemical element, symbol Cu, atomic number 29. It is a reddish metal, soft, malleable, and ductile with a metallic gloss. Copper is the element with the highest electrical and thermal conductivity. This material is abundant in nature.

Reactions:
1. Flame Test: Copper-oxygen compounds, when introduced into the flame, give it a bright green color due to the volatile copper oxide. Moist ore with hydrochloric acid, when heated in the flame, produces a bright blue, tinged with green.
2. Blue Solution with Ammonium Hydroxide: The copper-containing acid solution is alkalized with ammonium hydroxide, resulting in a deep blue color.
3. Reduction on Charcoal: When mixing a small amount of copper ore with a reducing mixture (equal parts of sodium carbonate and charcoal), and heating it intensely in the reducing flame, metallic copper globules are formed.

Effects on Health of Copper: Copper is a common substance that spreads in the environment through natural phenomena. Humans largely use copper, particularly in industry and agriculture. Copper production has increased in recent decades, leading to higher amounts of copper in the environment. Copper can be found in many kinds of food, drinking water, and air. The absorption of copper is necessary, as it is a trace element essential for human health. Inhaling high levels of copper can cause irritation of the nose and throat. Ingesting high levels of copper can lead to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Very high amounts of copper can damage the liver and kidneys and can even cause death. People living in houses with copper pipes are exposed to higher levels of copper, as it is released into the water through corrosion of pipes. Drinking water is generally free of pathogens, but it is possible for viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites to develop in public systems. The use of copper pipes provides effective protection against the presence of these organisms and the possibility of disease.

Environmental Effects of Copper: Copper can be released into the environment by human activities as well as natural processes. Examples of natural sources include dust storms, decomposition of vegetation, forest fires, volcanoes, and dust blowing in the wind. Human activities that contribute to the release of copper include mining, metal production, wood production, and the production of phosphate fertilizers. Copper is often found near mines, industrial settlements, landfills, and waste sites. Copper does not break down in the atmosphere and can accumulate in plants and animals when found in soils. In copper-rich soils, only a small number of plants can survive. Copper can significantly influence the processes of certain agricultural lands, depending on soil acidity and the presence of organic matter. Despite this, manure containing copper is still used. Copper can disrupt soil activity, negatively affecting microorganisms and earthworms. The decomposition of organic matter may decrease as a result.

Copper Reduces Greenhouse Gases: Copper could play a major role in making the world's nations more energy efficient. By using copper instead of materials with lower energy efficiency, we can maximize the power generated and capture the benefits of the products we use. The electrical efficiency reduces electricity demand, which in turn lowers fossil fuel consumption. Less use of fossil fuels means lower emissions of greenhouse gases, thereby reducing society's impact on climate change (e.g., global warming). The copper industry is seeking programs to reduce energy demand, benefiting the environment without negatively impacting the standard of living. These programs operate without government mandates, relying on market forces and new technologies to lead us to a better future.