150 Ecology and Applied Environmental Science
to nickel mainly through food, and also through skin contact with objects
such as coins, and to a lesser extent through drinking water, respiration or
smoking. The most common adverse effect is an allergic reaction to contact
with the metal, since 10–20% of the population are sensitive to nickel. Some
sensitised individuals display a reaction when nickel dust is eaten, drunk or
breathed in. More substantial exposure is noted in the work environment
where more severe symptoms, including cancer, may appear. According
to reports from international organisations, some chemical compounds of
nickel are carcinogenic to humans, and this may also be true for the metallic
form. The US EPA recommends a low limit for drinking water. A limit of
1 mg/m 3 has also been set for the air in the work environment.
7.4.6 Copper
Copper (Cu) is a metal found in nature in various forms, and as a trace element it is essential to maintaining good health. It is released into the environment from mines, industrial and agricultural activity, disposal of liquid
waste, and from natural sources such as volcanoes, aeolic erosion, decomposition of organic matter and forest fires. Humans are exposed to copper
by inhalation, ingestion in food or drink, skin contact or long-term residence near areas with high concentrations. Drinking water in homes where
copper pipes are used may contain important concentrations of copper if the
water is acid. High levels of copper that have been absorbed either through
respiration or through the peptic system may cause damage. Extremely high
doses of copper may injure the liver or kidneys, or even cause death. The
US EPA has not listed copper as a carcinogenic substance.
7.4.7 Aluminium
Aluminium (Al) is the most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust. In nature
it occurs in various chemical compounds; it serves as a raw material for
many industrial products. In the environment it occurs in the form of dust
in the air, where it may remain suspended for several days; it is also found
dissolved in freshwater. It does not occur in significant concentrations in
plants or animals. Humans are constantly exposed to low levels of aluminium through food, air, water and the soil. A very small amount enters the
body from aluminium household utensils. Higher doses of aluminium are
received mainly through inhalation and/or ingestion by people exposed in
their work environment or living in areas with high natural or anthropogenic concentrations of aluminium. Low concentrations are not harmful,
but high levels, mainly in the work environment, may damage the lungs or
the nervous system. Some studies show a link between high concentrations
of aluminium and Alzheimer’s disease; however, this has not been confirmed
to nickel mainly through food, and also through skin contact with objects
such as coins, and to a lesser extent through drinking water, respiration or
smoking. The most common adverse effect is an allergic reaction to contact
with the metal, since 10–20% of the population are sensitive to nickel. Some
sensitised individuals display a reaction when nickel dust is eaten, drunk or
breathed in. More substantial exposure is noted in the work environment
where more severe symptoms, including cancer, may appear. According
to reports from international organisations, some chemical compounds of
nickel are carcinogenic to humans, and this may also be true for the metallic
form. The US EPA recommends a low limit for drinking water. A limit of
1 mg/m 3 has also been set for the air in the work environment.
7.4.6 Copper
Copper (Cu) is a metal found in nature in various forms, and as a trace element it is essential to maintaining good health. It is released into the environment from mines, industrial and agricultural activity, disposal of liquid
waste, and from natural sources such as volcanoes, aeolic erosion, decomposition of organic matter and forest fires. Humans are exposed to copper
by inhalation, ingestion in food or drink, skin contact or long-term residence near areas with high concentrations. Drinking water in homes where
copper pipes are used may contain important concentrations of copper if the
water is acid. High levels of copper that have been absorbed either through
respiration or through the peptic system may cause damage. Extremely high
doses of copper may injure the liver or kidneys, or even cause death. The
US EPA has not listed copper as a carcinogenic substance.
7.4.7 Aluminium
Aluminium (Al) is the most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust. In nature
it occurs in various chemical compounds; it serves as a raw material for
many industrial products. In the environment it occurs in the form of dust
in the air, where it may remain suspended for several days; it is also found
dissolved in freshwater. It does not occur in significant concentrations in
plants or animals. Humans are constantly exposed to low levels of aluminium through food, air, water and the soil. A very small amount enters the
body from aluminium household utensils. Higher doses of aluminium are
received mainly through inhalation and/or ingestion by people exposed in
their work environment or living in areas with high natural or anthropogenic concentrations of aluminium. Low concentrations are not harmful,
but high levels, mainly in the work environment, may damage the lungs or
the nervous system. Some studies show a link between high concentrations
of aluminium and Alzheimer’s disease; however, this has not been confirmed