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Monitor exposure to copper.
Increased urinary copper excretion may occur in ICC or with chronic active hepatitis; Wilson's disease and chronic active hepatitis may also resemble one another; thus, parameters in addition to urinary copper excretion, such as ceruloplasmin and serum copper, are needed.
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by LabCorp. It has not been cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Copper poisoning through chronic inhalation of copper fumes and/or dusts that are typically associated with industry may produce symptoms of nausea, vomiting, nervous manifestations, and hepatomegaly. Acute exposures through inhalation can cause typical metal-fume fever, chills, upper respiratory irritation, and aching muscles. Elevated urine copper levels may also occur with biliary cirrhosis, chronic active hepatitis, or Wilson disease.2 Copper poisoning through chronic exposure is rare in the general population, excepting individuals with Wilson's disease. Overexposure to copper is generally associated with industry through the inhalation of copper dust and/or fumes that arise in operations involving copper (eg, metallurgy, copper plating, soldering). Acute ingestion is a viable concern for the general population and can be precipitated by food contamination from copper utensils or the accidental or intentional ingestion of copper salts.
1. Lauwerys RR, Hoet P, Industrial Chemical Exposure: Guidelines for Biological Monitoring, 2nd ed, Boca Raton, FL: Lewis Publishers, 1993, 291.
2. Jacobs DS, DeMott WR, Oxley DK, et al, Laboratory Test Handbook With Key Word Index, 5th ed, Hudson, OH: Lexi-Comp Inc, 2001.
