The Caldwell Tribune

The recent use of copper sulphate for the disinfection of reservoirs and the destruction of algae and noxious germs in water has led to much discussion of the old idea that copper is dangerous to health. Dr. George T. Moore of the Department of Agriculture maintains that a change has come over scientific opinion on this subject. Strange as it may seem, he says, there is not an authentic case of copper poisoning on record, either in this country or abroad, and he adds that toxicologists and physiologists who have sufficiently studied the subject agree that copper, in the amount used for purification of water, is harmless. On account of the many defects in the practical use of filtration plants, Dr. Moore regards purification of water supplies by copper as a preferable method, or at least as a safe auxiliary.