Copper saturation pathways of the urban population in the Czech Republic

Cent Eur J Public Health. 2001 Aug;9(3):119-25.

Abstract

The estimation of the copper saturation pathways of the Czech urban population is presented. The data on copper concentrations proceed from the System of monitoring the environmental impact on population health in the Czech Republic in the period 1994-1998. The copper concentrations were monitored in foodstuffs from the commercial network, in drinking water at the outlets of the waterworks and in the public water main networks, and in the ambient air. The copper levels were measured also in biological material to obtain the data on the copper saturation of the population under monitoring. The copper intake from foodstuffs and drinking water did not vary significantly either in the particular years of monitoring or individual cities. The same concerns also the copper levels in biological material. The total copper intake for an average adult was estimated to be 20.2 micrograms/kg b.w./d., i.e. 1300 micrograms/d. Over 99% of the total intake was that from the diet. The exposure from the intake of drinking water as well as from ambient air was low. The total daily intake lies in the interval 1000-2000 micrograms/d which is usually found in the similar studies of the copper intake. It represents only 40% of the daily dietary copper intake recommended by the JECFA FAO/WHO Commission, 1982. The copper levels in biological material did not differ from the reference values, and did not indicate any evincible hyposaturation of the population with copper.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child
  • Copper / analysis
  • Copper / blood*
  • Czech Republic
  • Environmental Exposure
  • Environmental Monitoring / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Food Analysis*
  • Hair / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Population Surveillance*
  • Reference Values
  • Urban Population

Substances

  • Copper