"Chris Lewis" wrote
According to Gary Slusser :

Copper (poisoning) is very harmful to humans. Pinhole leaks are very
common
in copper tubing. The water damage can be in the tens of thousands of
dollars. Replumbing a house is very expensive also and the usual
replacement
material is PEX, or other plastic. If the water is acidic, has high DO
CO2
TDS content or anything that will cause erosion corrosion, or bacteria,
or
electrical grounds problems etc., copper is not the right choice.
http://tinyurl.com/39o8w

What Gary says is true, however, I'll point out that such problems
are rare overall, corrosion mostly being a concern in some specific
areas.

I've never heard even hinted that copper pipe can be a toxicity hazard
to humans - copper is an essential mineral (in low concentrations of
course)
certainly nothing even remotely close to the issue with lead solder.

Further, copper is _much_ more toxic to lower life forms than mammals.
Bare copper is rather more unlikely to harbor most bacteria than plastic
is.

[There's a reason that PT lumber has copper in it...]
--
Chris Lewis, Una confibula non set est
It's not just anyone who gets a Starship Cruiser class named after them.

"problems are rare overall"! Pinholes in copper tubing used for potable
water line is a huge world wide problem. I've been reading about it and
looking at maps of problem areas for years. I've also been treating water
that causes the problem for 16 years now. And water isn't the only cause.
Look at any acid rain problem area maps and you'll see some of the areas
effected.

As far as copper toxicity to humans, every state of the US and province of
Canada, along with European country has established the acceptable level of
copper in potable water. In the US the EPA and state limits are measured in
parts per Billion. They do that with lead and many other contaminates found
in potable water that are proven and serious health problems in humans;
especially the infirm and young children. Chris, are you pulling these
opinions outta yer ear, where do you get your potable water quality issues
information from?

Gary
Quality Water Associates
www.qualitywaterassociates.com
Gary Slusser's Bulletin Board www.qualitywaterassociates.com/phpBB2/