How much lead is safe to drink?
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
The report concludes that the high amounts of lead in the drinking water may have led to a slight rise of the blood levels; however, it claimed that ""no children were identified with BLLs >10µg/dL, even in homes with the highest water lead levels"". It notes that 10 µg/dL was "CDC's BLL of concern for children" since 1991. The report also claimed that the average levels were sinking with time. On the other hand, the report found some cases of children with BLLs > 5 µg/dL; and also stated that actually "no safe BLL has been identified". Therefore, the report recommends that efforts should be made to eliminate lead in children's blood entirely, and in particular, that the authorities should take measures to ensure that the amount of lead in drinking water always should be less than 15 PPM.
Copper
The U.S. Institute of Medicine (IOM) updated the estimated average requirements (EARs) and recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for copper in 2001. If there is not sufficient information to establish EARs and RDAs, an estimate designated [[Adequate Intake]] (AI) is used instead. The AIs for copper are: 200 μg of copper for 0–6-month-old males and females, and 220 μg of copper for 7–12-month-old males and females. The RDAs for copper are: 340 μg of copper for 1–3-year-old males, 440 μg of copper for 4–8-year-old males, 700 μg of copper for 9–13-year-old males, 890 μg of copper for 14–18-year-old males, and 900 μg of copper for males that are 19 years old and older. The RDAs for copper are: 340 μg of copper for 1–3-year-old females, 440 μg of copper for 4–8-year-old females, 700 μg of copper for 9–13-year-old females, 890 μg of copper for 14–18-year-old females, and 900 μg of copper for females that are 19 years old and older. The RDAs for copper are: 1,000 μg of copper for 14–50-year-old pregnant females; furthermore, 1,300 μg of copper for 14–50-year-old lactating females. As for safety, the IOM also sets [[Tolerable upper intake level]]s (ULs) for vitamins and minerals when evidence is sufficient. In the case of copper the UL is set at 10 mg/day. Collectively the EARs, RDAs, AIs and ULs are referred to as [[Dietary Reference Intake]]s.