|
ENVIRONMENT |
|
|
|||
|
Because of its density, copper is a heavy metal. This classification has absolutely nothing to do with its significance for health or environment. The term heavy metal is nothing more than a reference to the high specific weight of the material in question. Metals are divided into various classes according to their density, i.e. light metals (density < 4.5 g/cm3) and heavy metals. As copper has a specific weight of 8.96 g/cm3, it is classified as a “heavy metal”. This reference only classifies metals according to their specific weight, and says absolutely nothing about any other properties they may have or their significance for health or environment. Zinc (7.13 g/cm3), tin (7.29 g/cm3), iron (7.87 g/cm3) and the noble metals silver (10.5 g/cm3) and gold (19.3 g/cm3) are also classified as heavy metals. Reports in the daily newspapers, but also occasionally in specialist publications give insecure readers the impression that all heavy metals are basically harmful to the environment and our health, although this only applies to a few metallic compounds such as those formed by cadmium and mercury. |
back