Substance
Copper salts

Pathology
Mucous membrane irritation, multisystemic toxicities with salts. Elemental copper is poorly absorbed and causes little toxicity.

Symptoms
Pain in mouth, esophagus, and stomach; abdominal pain; vomiting; gastroenteritis; shock; hepatic and renal injury; hemolysis; seizures; coma; death.

Emergency Measures
Fluid replacement and pressors, whole-bowel irrigation; dimercaprol and penicillamine for large ingestions.

Comments
Long-term copper exposures have resulted in liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and renal dysfunction.