UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                    GUIDANCE FROM HOTLINE COMPENDIUM
                                                                            WSH H40
                                                               Date Issued: August 1991
SUBJECT:   Wilson's Disease and Copper

SOURCE:    Lonnie Finkle
             Jeff Cohen
In some publications, Wilson's Disease is listed as a health effect of copper. Does copper in
drinking water actually cause Wilson's Disease?

       Response:

       No. Wilson's Disease is an inborn disorder with copper metabolism, and is not caused by
       copper in drinking water. Rather, individuals born with Wilson's Disease are at a higher
       risk of experiencing toxic health effects due to copper metabolism, allowing accumulation
       of copper in the liver, brain, kidneys, and corneas causing hemolytic anemia, neurological
       disorders and cornea opacity (56 FR 315161 Also, the mandatory health effects language
       in 141.32(e)(14) of 56 FR 26460 (June 7, 1991) states that copper at high doses has been
       shown to cause stomach and intestinal distress, liver and kidney damage, and anemia.

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