Development of a Copper Database for Exposure-Response Analysis

While its precise form has not yet been defined, it is assumed that the exposure-response curve for copper (Cu) is U-shaped, as both Cu deficiency and excess can produce adverse health effects. Exposure-response relationships provide the foundation for setting recommended levels of exposure to essential and nonessential substances. A group of toxicologists, biologists, and epidemiologists formed a working group in 2002 to review the literature on Cu excess and deficiency as well as possible exposure-response modeling strategies. It was decided that in order to conduct more complex modeling exercises with studies on Cu, the information had to be organized into a database for application of emerging analytical approaches in exposure-response assessment. The database would support both current as well as proposed methods for exposure-response assessment and accommodate a variety of reporting methods found in the literature. As there are multiple studies looking at a wide range of adverse health effects attri...