Save me from poisioning!

[rorqual]

Hello, smart people on the Internet! I know there is a nutritionist-in-training, and a spouse-of-an-epidemiologist, out there, as well as people who can pluralize Latin and do fancy maths, so maybe someone can help me. I just bought a new copper teakettle off The Ebay, and found out (today when I got it) that it is unlined. I hadn't thought of that, so I did a little research and determined that unlined copper could kill me dead if I cook with it. However, that seems to be in the context of unlined copper cooking pans, as copper can react with acidic foods. Unlined copper in fact seems to be advised for certain uses (like melting sugar for caramel), and in this case I would only be boiling water in it.

So: if I use my unlined copper teakettle for boiling water, how much will it hasten my death? Any ideas? Or should I just use it for making caramel?

Comments

[broodingferret.livejournal.com]

If you're only using it for boiling water, you should be fine. Do not, however, under any circumstances, use it to cook acidic foods or warm acidic fluids.

[ex-domestic.livejournal.com]

No acidic foods. Water is fine. Water pipes are frequently made out of copper here.

If you notice your hair turning green you are getting too much copper or if you get nausea or gastrointestinal issues. In all seriousness anemia is your biggest worry because copper can interfere with iron absorption but provided you eat enough iron rich foods you will be fine.

Really though I wouldn't worry.

[rorqual.livejournal.com]

That strict prohibition just makes me want to, I don't know, boil lemon juice in it or something. But I won't.

[rorqual.livejournal.com]

If I notice my hair turning green, eh? Bet you a dollar I would not be the first to notice...:) And I actually don't think I eat enough iron-rich foods - I don't eat a lot of red meat. Maybe that's why I have been craving spinach; that has iron, right?

Re: OMG!

[rorqual.livejournal.com]

Dear Whom,

Please tell the furred members of my household, that when they turn their oh-so-cute furry looks into cold hard cash, with which I can pay the 20%-increased BGE bill, then I will turn on the A/C. In lieu of that, I suggest they continue lying on their backs with their feet splayed out, like tiny sacrifces.

Rorqual

[ex-domestic.livejournal.com]

I am guessing I'd be the last to notice ;)

Spinach does have iron. Do you eat Breakfast cereal? - that's fortified with iron over here. You can also be find iron in peas, beans and lentils, oily fish such as sardines, eggs, bread.

You should avoid drinking tea or coffee with iron-rich meals because this might affects the absorption of iron. Vit C helps so have fruit or vegetables or fruit juice with your iron rich food.

Nothing to do with your possible poisoning

[elengul.livejournal.com]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6239846.stm

Re: Nothing to do with your possible poisoning

[rorqual.livejournal.com]

Awesome! Thanks! :)