It was noted before that several synthetic copper chemicals are used in organic agriculture as fungicides. Although small amounts of copper are essential for life, it is a toxic element at higher levels. There have been reports of people committing suicide by ingesting it. Vineyard sprayers have experienced liver disease from exposure to it. It is corrosive to the skin and eyes and is absorbed through the skin. It causes reproductive problems in birds, hamsters and rats. It has been shown to induce heart disease in the offspring of pregnant hamsters that were exposed to it. It has caused endocrine tumors in chickens. Copper sulfate and.
