Ever love copper so much, to the point that it makes you sick?

Well apparently i do.

For the last 12 days i've been suffering from "copper toxicity". I was unwrapping those degaussing cables from tv's for about 4 days straight, maybe 8 hours a day, never wearing gloves.

This is byfar the sickest i have EVER been in my life. I've had a headache for 12 days straight, not once going away. Extreme vertigo, horrible stomach cramps, shaking, constant sweating.

Went to the ER today, because i was feeling so horrible. After the blood tests came back, they said, and i quote "The amount of copper in your blood right now...i'm surprised you havent had brain damage or major organ failure"



Brain damage or major organ failure, all from just unwrapping copper wire.

Moral of the story, ALWAYS wear gloves when working with alot of copper. I rarely wear gloves. Just how i was raised. Never once did i think that i could get sick from copper like this.

The doctors gave me a prescription for some HUGE pill. Supposed to "grab" all the copper out of my system. We'll see. All i know is id much rather take baths in compressor oil for a year than to suffer from this crap for another week.

Just thought id give yall a heads up. Be smart, happy scrappin'.

never considered that. thanks for the insight! get better soon. i hope those pills work out

Thanks bud, me too!

I've handled a bit of copper since I started scrapping. Never knew this was an issue. I'll be more careful from now on. Get well soon bud.


Had a chance to try out the wire stripper?

I looked up those vend mizer cords. A few are selling on ebay but I think there's more to it than what you have.

Sorry to hear that you got sick from the copper!! Hope you feel better soon.

Hoss, that is amazing. Sorry you had to be the guinnea pig, but it sure is good for us to know. Were you working in an unventilated area. I'm sure sorry you got sick, but I sure wish I had that much copper!! I'm sure the pills will clear it out. Take care.

Uhh…does that come out #1 or #2? and is it #1 or #2 copper when you are done processing it?

Smile laugh and get well!

Wow, I hope the pills work. Get better soon.

Get well soon !!!

i hope ya get/feel better hoss... can i have someof your blood to refine though

lol Mrmetal !!!

Wow never known this! Will do from now on! Get well soon!

Originally Posted by Dawsey

Wow never known this! Will do from now on! Get well soon!

Wow man I do hope you get well soon, and thank you very much for the heads up on this issue. I ain't touching another
piece of copper or circuit board without some Nitrile gloves. I should of known better as my illness was caused by
chemical toxicity in the auto repair biz..My prayers for your pops for his recovery as well.

Originally Posted by Stangit

Wow man I do hope you get well soon

He's probably better by now, as this thread was posted back in 2011, but it's still good information to know.

Originally Posted by TheHoss

Well apparently i do.

For the last 12 days i've been suffering from "copper toxicity". I was unwrapping those degaussing cables from tv's for about 4 days straight, maybe 8 hours a day, never wearing gloves.

This is byfar the sickest i have EVER been in my life. I've had a headache for 12 days straight, not once going away. Extreme vertigo, horrible stomach cramps, shaking, constant sweating.

Went to the ER today, because i was feeling so horrible. After the blood tests came back, they said, and i quote "The amount of copper in your blood right now...i'm surprised you havent had brain damage or major organ failure"

Brain damage or major organ failure, all from just unwrapping copper wire.

Moral of the story, ALWAYS wear gloves when working with alot of copper. I rarely wear gloves. Just how i was raised. Never once did i think that i could get sick from copper like this.

The doctors gave me a prescription for some HUGE pill. Supposed to "grab" all the copper out of my system. We'll see. All i know is id much rather take baths in compressor oil for a year than to suffer from this crap for another week.

Just thought id give yall a heads up. Be smart, happy scrappin'.

As you just tuened 21 I would of thought it was alcohol induced Sorry to here your sick. Get well and get scrappin

"tuened" Sorry too many Miller lites for me!