title: An unusual skin exposure to copper; clinical and pharmacokinetic evaluation.
abstract: Skin exposure to copper is rare and has been described only with copper sulfate. A case of skin exposure to copper after an explosion of copper azide is presented. The amount of copper absorbed by this route was estimated to be 7.7 mg. Calculated distribution volume was 2.02 I/kg, half-life was 167.4 days and clearance was 0.0058 ml/min/kg. The authors also demonstrated metallic copper to be radiopaque, in contrast to copper salts. It is suggested that copper may be absorbed from the skin even if it is in the metal form. Careful clinical follow up as well as serial determinations of serum copper should guide the need for chelation therapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, Poison Control Center, Toronto, Ontario.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bentur
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koren
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McGuigan
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Spielberg
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D003300:Copper / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012869:Skin Absorption
chemical_list: D003300:Copper