Daily Wire Tip Oct. 30: Does Copper Wire Have Arsenic?
Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
October 30, 2009
Question:
I just saw an ad saying that copper wire has arsenic and is very deadly. Then I read that copper has a healing feature for arthritic conditions. Which is correct?
Answer:
Your question concerned me to the point of doing some extensive research to share with you. Copper is an important part of many things we use every day, including coins, electricity, some plumbing and the human body! (About 0.0004% of body weight is copper and as a trace element we absorb it through foods like liver, nuts, shellfish and beans).
Only extremely pure copper (greater than 99.95%) is used as electrical copper in the forms equipment and wire, and cannot contain arsenic, as the impurity would disrupt the electrical sensitivity.
To find some definitive answers, I went directly to the CDC, who says this about arsenic: “Arsenic (As) is a metal-like material usually found in the environment combined with other elements. Arsenic when combined with carbon and hydrogen is referred to as organic arsenic. Arsenic combined with other elements such as oxygen, chlorine, and sulphur is referred to as inorganic arsenic. The organic forms of As are usually less harmful than the inorganic forms. Inorganic As occurs naturally in many kinds of rocks, especially those containing copper and lead ores. The main use of arsenic is as a wood preservative to make the wood resistant to rotting and decay. Arsenic is also used as an ingredient in insecticides and herbicides. Arsenic is not broken-down or destroyed in the environment, but it will readily change from one chemical form to another by natural chemical reactions.
Most arsenic-induced toxicity in humans is due to exposure to inorganic arsenic. In the United States the average adult consumes 0.05 mg/day of arsenic in their diet. Food is usually the largest source of As exposure in humans.”
The only information I found about copper jewelry containing arsenic is: “Tombac, tombak or Tambac is an alloy of copper and zinc (and sometimes arsenic) used to imitate gold in cheap jewelry and for gilding.”
Whereas you say the information that mentioned arsenic being present in copper wire was in an advertisement, my thought is that the ‘ad’ is meant to frighten people to stop using copper jewelry wire so whatever company or individual can sell whatever product they offer that is not copper! You should also know that copper is also present as an alloy in Brass, German Silver, Bronze and Sterling Silver jewelry wires too.
Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong
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copper, copper jewelry wire, copper wire, healing wire
Filed under:Daily Wire Jewelry Tips‚ Project Help‚ Wire & Wire Wrapping
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Dale, you didn’t mention anything about the healing aspects of copper. Are there any?
Hi to Evelyn and Dale -
I don’t believe copper to be unsafe if worn, just not ingested.
That is why copper pans and skillets are coated with steel at the cooking surface. I believe that heat applied to copper in cooking situations, and over a long period of time, can cause health problems.
It could be that during the heating process arsenic and/or other troublesome trace poisons are released.
However, I know that professional (and non) swear that a cold copper bowl will make the fluffiest merangues.
Take care
VH
Hi Dale, I was reading some information about this arsenic in copper wire also yesterday, I to was gonna ask you about it,. For some reason all of a sudden the concern about this has got really big and it does scare people that don’t know any more about it than they do, all they see is the word arsenic. Thank you for clearing this up for me and a whole lot more folks. Sincerely Judy
Awesome news Dale! I had read that ‘ad’ too and was concerned because I have been suggesting people buy copper wire in the electrical department of Home Depot for their jewelry projects. It is an easy and inexpensive way to get wire when you are jut learning how to use it. Your article was helpful. Thank you very much!
Thanks for reminding me Nancy! I got so caught up in looking for bad things about copper jewelry that I forgot to write about the good. Watch for a article in the next couple of days.
Dale/Cgr
Dale,
Thank you for being so conscientious. Your research into the subject of copper is very much respected and admired.
Again, thank you,
Donna Jones, Long Beach, Ca
Dale, I’ve been working with copper for the last 30 years and have not had any ill effects from it thus far.
Although I’m not a long time or very highly skilled jewelry maker I do OK. Hubby was very knowledgeable and he never had any ill effects from copper either. I make about 30% of my jewelry from copper. Copper, bronze, brass and silver are my preferred metals.
Since I work and sell in a moderate income area I create for my customers. Its the ART that has the value. And copper is BEAUTIFUL.
Thanks for the research and a pox on idiotic scare tactics.
Thanks Dale for going to the trouble compiling all that information to share. I very much appreciate that.
@Vanessa: using a copper bowl gives you the whitest meringues, as well.
Apple seeds contain trace amounts of As. Not enough to poison you to death, however, the level is significant enough that dog owners are advised to refrain from feeding their dogs apples. When ingested in small amounts and increasing the amount over a period of time, a person will actually build up a resistance to it; consequently, it’s doubtful any harm will come from copper with traces of it.
Thanks again Dale.
This was VERY informative!!!!…lovlovlov it
As promised, I just posted a new article regarding copper on the Wire Jewelry Artist blog. You may follow this link to go directly to that article: http://wire-sculpture.com/wire-jewelry-artists/category/wire-talk/
Thanks!
Dale/Cgr