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 arsenic 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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20 Comments

1. 

   Nancy Gregory

   October 30, 2009 at 2:18 pm

   Dale, you didn’t mention anything about the healing aspects of copper. Are there any?
2. 

   Vanessa H

   October 30, 2009 at 2:21 pm

   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
3. 

   Judy

   October 30, 2009 at 2:36 pm

   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
4. 

   Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor

   October 30, 2009 at 3:03 pm

   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!
5. 

   Dale/Cougar

   October 30, 2009 at 3:33 pm

   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
6. 

   Donna Jones

   October 30, 2009 at 5:15 pm

   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
7. 

   Henry Bruenning

   October 30, 2009 at 6:21 pm

   Dale, I’ve been working with copper for the last 30 years and have not had any ill effects from it thus far.
   • 

     Susan Pence

     October 26, 2014 at 8:58 am

     Like you, Henry, I’ve been working with copper sheet and wire for decades…me, as a sculptor of large works. My arthritic hands now use all that copper I’ve had in storage for jewelry and I’m loving it. I’ve also lived in homes with copper pipes, had copper show up as slightly over normal limits in my well water, and have worn it. My health at 62 is excellent. I agree with Dale (excellent research) that this is a scare tactic (retired RN, focused on environmental health). I’ve never heard of this before now. So many elements show up as trace in personal environments and foodstuffs with which we live everyday and result in no ill effects. Having said that, it’s important to keep our immune systems in good order! In addition, I suspect that applied coatings on copper would also trap whatever might potentially be harmful, like certain patina chems…something I work with as well.
8. 

   Casey Willson

   October 31, 2009 at 1:11 am

   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.
9. 

   Leah

   October 31, 2009 at 11:00 am

   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.
10. 

    Brenda Miller

    October 31, 2009 at 6:47 pm

    This was VERY informative!!!!…lovlovlov it
11. 

    Dale/Cougar

    November 1, 2009 at 4:04 pm

    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
    • 

      Helen Wright

      December 1, 2014 at 3:24 pm

      Yes just as Olive Kenney said below the link you provided isn’t working I would really love to be able to read it so could you check it out and tell us what the link is again? I would certainly appreciate it. Thanks so much, Helen
12. 

    Donna

    November 22, 2012 at 2:04 pm

    If copper is so bad for us, why do most houses use it for their water pipes (including water from the hot water tank)? I am sure it must be safe or people would have gotten sick long ago from drinking and bathing in tap water.
13. 

    Olive Kenney

    October 29, 2014 at 8:05 pm

    I used the link you provided, but got an error message:

    Oopsy Daisy, That wasn\’t found
    Sorry, no results matched your search criteria.

    Copy and paste didn\’t work either.

    I really appreciate your advice and tips. Your articles are very informative. Hope I\’ll get to read this one.
14. 

    Susan

    November 2, 2014 at 4:08 pm

    Copper pots have been used for centuries and are still used today to make candy. Copper is harmless. It also does seem to offer relief from joint issues. I agree that the advertisement warning about arsenic in copper was just a scare tactic for some reason to ge tthe reader to purchase something. No worries. Copper is beautiful and safe.
15. 

    Vicki Waltman

    November 11, 2014 at 1:14 pm

    I would love to read the article that Dale Cougar Armstrong referred to on November 1, 2009 but it says the link is invalid. Is there anyway I can get a hold of this article?
16. 

    Joy

    November 17, 2014 at 10:23 am

    I’ve been reading some of the comments related to As in jewelry, and I’ve come to the conclusion: If it is in jewelry and we’ve been wearing “cheap jewelry” for a long time and nothings happened to us. What’s the problem. And if most of the foods we eat has some As that isn’t enough to kill us, What’s the problem. No matter what we do or eat there is always something in it that can kill us or hurt us in some way. I like copper, silver and gold, whether its the real thing or not, its all beautiful, and I like working with it! Thank you for the article and all your research!
17. 

    Tippy Mueller

    August 5, 2015 at 8:14 am

    Dale, Would you please comment on the effects of using copper with metalsmithing techniques where the heat of soldering is involved. In your research, does the heat of the torch increase toxic exposure to copper to dangerous levels. It’s something to know if we are working so heavily with copper these days. Does the heat change the organic As to inorganic forms of As? THANKS!!!
18. 

    Laverne snow

    December 27, 2015 at 8:28 am

    Thank you for this research. I found it interesting and informative. But I don’t feel that it answered the real question. You mentioned electrical copper wire, but not jewelry wire, more specifically, the copper wire that this company has and does sell. I know copper is an essential element and that there are many claims of its healing powers. I enjoyed learning of organic and inorganic copper sources. Is or has the copper wire sold by wire jewelry.com always been made of organic copper? Does your copper ever transform into anything dangerous through created and natural patina processes? Thank you in advance for your answer.