When Are Copper Drains Not Safe?

Copper Drain Corrosion

• A corroding copper drain in a sink can pose a health hazard for you and your family members, especially if you clean vegetables or wash dishes in the sink and these items come in contact with the drain. Copper can easily contaminate the eating surfaces of your dishes and food if you don't clean these surfaces properly. Ingesting food contaminated with copper in excess of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) action level of 1.3 parts per million can cause short-term digestive problems, including abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

Copper Water Contamination

• Drainpipes made from copper can wear out over time and shed some of the chemical element into your home's water supply. This may not immediately pose a health risk to you and your family, as copper in very low levels isn't toxic. If the water in your home acquires a bitter taste, immediately stop consuming it and contact your local branch of the EPA. If copper contamination occurs outside your home in a public water treatment facility, the EPA requires the water treatment company to inform the public by newspaper, television and radio.

Copper and Explosive Chemicals

• Copper can react violently when introduced to certain chemicals, including sodium azide, a chemical preservative used in laboratories and hospitals across the country. When working in an area where such a chemical is present, you should never pour any spent liquids down any drain. Doing so could cause the copper in the sink or drainpipe to explode, posing a significant health risk for you and anyone else in the immediate area.

Long-Term Effects/Chronic Disorders

• Long-term overexposure to copper through consuming contaminated water or food can cause damage to the liver or kidneys, and can destroy red blood cells. Wilson's disease is a genetic disorder in which copper builds up in the liver, resulting in toxicity first appearing during teenage development years. If you or any member of your family has this disease, it's a smart idea to remove all copper drains and pipes from the home to avoid a chance of overexposure.