Right to Know

Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet

Common Name: CUPRIC SULFATE
Synonyms: Copper Sulfate; Blue Vitriol CAS Number: 7758-98-7
Chemical Name: Sulfuric Acid Copper (2+) Salt (1:1) RTK Substance Number: 0549
Date: October 2008 Revision: August 2016 DOT Number: UN 3077

Description and Use EMERGENCY RESPONDERS >>>> SEE BACK PAGE

Cupric Sulfate is an odorless, white or bluish-white granule or Hazard Summary
crystalline (sand-like) powder. It is used as an algicide, Hazard Rating NJDHSS NFPA
fungicide, herbicide, food additive, and wood preservative, and HEALTH 2 -
in pyrotechnics, textiles, and electroplating. FLAMMABILITY 0 -
REACTIVITY 0 -
POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE

Reasons for Citation Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious;
4=severe
 Cupric Sulfate is on the Right to Know Hazardous
Substance List because it is cited by DOT, DEP and EPA.
 Cupric Sulfate can affect you when inhaled and by passing
through the skin.
 Contact can irritate and burn the skin and eyes.
 Inhaling Cupric Sulfate can irritate the nose and throat.
 Inhaling Copper can cause a sore and/or a hole in the
“bone” (septum) dividing the inner nose.
 Cupric Sulfate can cause headache, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea and abdominal pain.
SEE GLOSSARY ON PAGE 5.  Cupric Sulfate may cause a skin allergy.
 Cupric Sulfate may affect the liver and kidneys.
FIRST AID
Eye Contact
 Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 Workplace Exposure Limits
minutes, lifting upper and lower lids. Remove contact
lenses, if worn, while flushing. Seek medical attention. The following exposure limits are for Copper:

Skin Contact OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is
 Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash 1 mg/m3 (as Copper dusts and mists) and 0.1 mg/m3
contaminated skin with large amounts of water. (as Copper fume) averaged over an 8-hour workshift.

Inhalation
 Remove the person from exposure. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit (REL) is
 Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if 1 mg/m3 (as Copper dusts and mists) and 0.1 mg/m3
breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. (as Copper fume) averaged over a 10-hour workshift.
 Transfer promptly to a medical facility.

ACGIH: The threshold limit value (TLV) is 1 mg/m3 (as Copper

EMERGENCY NUMBERS dusts and mists) and 0.2 mg/m3 (as Copper fume)
Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 averaged over an 8-hour workshift.
CHEMTREC: 1-800-424-9300
NJDEP Hotline: 1-877-927-6337  The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin
National Response Center: 1-800-424-8802 contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though
air levels are less than the limits listed above.
CUPRIC SULFATE Page 2 of 6

Determining Your Exposure

 There is limited evidence that Cupric Sulfate may damage
 Read the product manufacturer’s Material Safety Data the male reproductive system (including decreasing the
Sheet (MSDS) and the label to determine product sperm count) in animals.
ingredients and important safety and health information
about the product mixture. Other Effects
 Inhaling Cupric Sulfate can cause a sore and/or a hole in
 For each individual hazardous ingredient, read the New the “bone” (septum) dividing the inner nose, sometimes with
Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services bleeding, discharge, and/or formation of a crust.
Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet, available on the RTK  Repeated exposure may cause a greenish discoloration of
Program website the skin, hair and teeth.
(http://www.state.nj.us/health/workplacehealthandsafety/ri  Cupric Sulfate may cause a skin allergy. If allergy
develops, very low future exposure can cause itching and a
ght-to-know/) or in your facility’s RTK Central File or
skin rash.
Hazard Communication Standard file.
 Cupric Sulfate may affect the liver and kidneys.
 You have a right to this information under the New Jersey
Worker and Community Right to Know Act, the Public
Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Act
Medical
if you are a public worker in New Jersey, and under the
federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) if you Medical Testing
are a private worker. For frequent or potentially high exposure (half the PEL or
greater), the following are recommended before beginning
 The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most work and at regular times after that:
employers to label chemicals in the workplace and
requires public employers to provide their employees with  Serum and urine Copper levels
information concerning chemical hazards and controls.
If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the
The federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29
following are recommended:
CFR 1910.1200) and the PEOSH Hazard Communication
Standard (N.J.A.C. 12:100-7) require employers to provide  Evaluation by a qualified allergist can help diagnose skin
similar information and training to their employees. allergy.
 Liver and kidney function tests
This Fact Sheet is a summary of available information  Examination of the skin and nose
regarding the health hazards that may result from exposure.
Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and
factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for
effects described below. damage already done are not a substitute for controlling
exposure.

Health Hazard Information Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right
to this information under the OSHA Access to Employee
Acute Health Effects Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020).
The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur
immediately or shortly after exposure to Cupric Sulfate: Mixed Exposures
 More than light alcohol consumption can cause liver
 Contact can irritate and burn the skin and eyes. damage. Drinking alcohol may increase the liver damage
 Inhaling Cupric Sulfate can irritate the nose and throat caused by Cupric Sulfate.
causing coughing and wheezing.
 Cupric Sulfate can cause headache, nausea, vomiting,
Conditions Made Worse By Exposure
diarrhea, abdominal pain and metallic taste.
 “Wilson’s Disease” is a rare condition which interferes with
the body’s ability to get rid of Copper. If you have this
Chronic Health Effects
illness, consult your doctor about Copper exposure.
The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at
some time after exposure to Cupric Sulfate and can last for
months or years:

Cancer Hazard
 Cupric Sulfate may cause mutations (genetic changes).
Whether or not it poses a cancer hazard needs further study.

Reproductive Hazard
 There is limited evidence that Cupric Sulfate is a teratogen
in animals. Until further testing has been done, it should be
treated as a possible teratogen in humans.
CUPRIC SULFATE Page 3 of 6

Workplace Controls and Practices Eye Protection

Very toxic chemicals, or those that are reproductive hazards or  Wear eye protection with side shields or goggles.
sensitizers, require expert advice on control measures if a less  If additional protection is needed for the entire face, use in
toxic chemical cannot be substituted. Control measures combination with a face shield. A face shield should not be
include: (1) enclosing chemical processes for severely used without another type of eye protection.
irritating and corrosive chemicals, (2) using local exhaust
ventilation for chemicals that may be harmful with a single Respiratory Protection
exposure, and (3) using general ventilation to control Improper use of respirators is dangerous. Respirators
exposures to skin and eye irritants. For further information on should only be used if the employer has implemented a written
workplace controls, consult the NIOSH document on Control program that takes into account workplace conditions,
Banding at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ctrlbanding/. requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing, and
The following work practices are also recommended: medical exams, as described in the OSHA Respiratory
Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134).
 Label process containers.
 Provide employees with hazard information and training.  For field applications check with your supervisor and your
 Monitor airborne chemical concentrations. safety equipment supplier regarding the appropriate
 Use engineering controls if concentrations exceed respiratory equipment.
recommended exposure levels.  Where the potential exists for exposure over 0.1 mg/m3 (as
 Provide eye wash fountains and emergency showers. Copper fume) or over 1 mg/m3 (as Copper dusts and
 Wash or shower if skin comes in contact with a hazardous mists), air-purifying, particulate filter respirator with an N95
material. filter. More protection is provided by a full facepiece
 Always wash at the end of the workshift. respirator than by a half-mask respirator, and even greater
 Change into clean clothing if clothing becomes protection is provided by a powered-air purifying respirator.
contaminated.  Leave the area immediately if (1) while wearing a filter or
 Do not take contaminated clothing home. cartridge respirator you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect
 Get special training to wash contaminated clothing. Cupric Sulfate, (2) while wearing particulate filters abnormal
 Do not eat, smoke, or drink in areas where chemicals are resistance to breathing is experienced, or (3) eye irritation
being handled, processed or stored. occurs while wearing a full facepiece respirator. Check to
 Wash hands carefully before eating, smoking, drinking, make sure the respirator-to-face seal is still good. If it is,
applying cosmetics or using the toilet. replace the filter or cartridge. If the seal is no longer good,
you may need a new respirator.
In addition, the following may be useful or required:  Consider all potential sources of exposure in your workplace.
You may need a combination of filters, prefilters or cartridges
 Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean- to protect against different forms of a chemical (such as
up. DO NOT DRY SWEEP. vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals.
 Where the potential exists for exposure over 1 mg/m3 (as
Copper fume) or over 10 mg/m3 (as Copper dusts and
mists), use a NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a
Personal Protective Equipment full facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other
positive-pressure mode. For increased protection use in
The OSHA Personal Protective Equipment Standard (29 CFR combination with an auxiliary self-contained breathing
1910.132) requires employers to determine the appropriate apparatus operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-
personal protective equipment for each hazard and to train pressure mode.
employees on how and when to use protective equipment.  Exposure to 100 mg/m3 (as Copper dusts and mists) is
immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of
The following recommendations are only guidelines and may exposure above 100 mg/m3 exists, use a NIOSH approved
self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece
not apply to every situation. operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure
mode equipped with an emergency escape air cylinder.
Gloves and Clothing
 Avoid skin contact with Cupric Sulfate. Wear personal
protective equipment made from material which cannot be
permeated or degraded by this substance. Safety Fire Hazards
equipment suppliers and manufacturers can provide If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
recommendations on the most protective glove and clothing and equipped as stated in the OSHA Fire Brigades Standard
material for your operation. (29 CFR 1910.156).
 Safety equipment manufacturers recommend Neoprene and
Polyvinyl Chloride for gloves and Tyvek®, or the equivalent,  Extinguish fire using an agent suitable for type of
as a protective material for clothing. surrounding fire. Cupric Sulfate itself does not burn.
 All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear)  POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including
should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. Copper Fumes, Copper Oxides and Sulfur Oxides.
CUPRIC SULFATE Page 4 of 6

Spills and Emergencies Occupational Health Information

If employees are required to clean-up spills, they must be
Resources
properly trained and equipped. The OSHA Hazardous Waste
Operations and Emergency Response Standard (29 CFR The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services,
1910.120) may apply. Occupational Health Service, offers multiple services in
occupational health. These services include providing
If Cupric Sulfate is spilled, take the following steps: informational resources, educational materials, public
presentations, and industrial hygiene and medical
 Evacuate personnel and secure and control entrance to the investigations and evaluations.
area.
 Eliminate all ignition sources.
 Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe
For more information, please contact:
manner and place into sealed containers for disposal.
 Ventilate and wash area after clean-up is complete.
 DO NOT wash into sewer. New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services
 It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Cupric Right to Know Program
Sulfate as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state PO Box 368
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your Trenton, NJ 08625-0368
regional office of the federal Environmental Protection Phone: 609-984-2202
Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations.
Fax: 609-984-7407
E-mail: [email protected]
Handling and Storage
Web address:
http://www.state.nj.us/health/workplacehealthandsafety/
Prior to working with Cupric Sulfate you should be trained on right-to-know/
its proper handling and storage.
The Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets
 Cupric Sulfate reacts with MAGNESIUM to produce are not intended to be copied and sold
flammable and explosive Hydrogen gas and will react with
ACETYLENE to form shock-sensitive Copper Acetylides. for commercial purposes.
 Cupric Sulfate will ignite HYDROXYLAMINE.
 Cupric Sulfate is not compatible with AMINES; METALS
(such as IRON, POTASSIUM, MAGNESIUM and ZINC);
REDUCING AGENTS (such as LITHIUM, SODIUM,
ALUMINUM and their HYDRIDES); OXIDIZING AGENTS
(such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES,
PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, NITRATES,
CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE); STRONG BASES
(such as SODIUM HYDROXIDE and POTASSIUM
HYDROXIDE); ISOCYANATES; SODIUM HYPOBROMITE;
AMMONIA; and NITROMETHANE.
 Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated
area away from COMBUSTIBLES.
CUPRIC SULFATE Page 5 of 6

GLOSSARY

ACGIH is the American Conference of Governmental Industrial mg/m3 means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of air.
Hygienists. They publish guidelines called Threshold Limit It is a measure of concentration (weight/volume).
Values (TLVs) for exposure to workplace chemicals.
A mutagen is a substance that causes mutations. A mutation
Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs) are established is a change in the genetic material in a body cell. Mutations
by the EPA. They describe the risk to humans resulting from can lead to birth defects, miscarriages, or cancer.
once-in-a lifetime, or rare, exposure to airborne chemicals.
NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. It classifies
Boiling point is the temperature at which a substance can substances according to their fire and explosion hazard.
change its physical state from a liquid to a gas.
NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer. Health. It tests equipment, evaluates and approves
respirators, conducts studies of workplace hazards, and
The CAS number is unique, identifying number, assigned by proposes standards to OSHA.
the Chemical Abstracts Service, to a specific chemical.
NTP is the National Toxicology Program which tests chemicals
CFR is the Code of Federal Regulations, which are the and reviews evidence for cancer.
regulations of the United States government.
OSHA is the federal Occupational Safety and Health
A combustible substance is a solid, liquid or gas that will burn. Administration, which adopts and enforces health and safety
standards.
A corrosive substance is a gas, liquid or solid that causes
destruction of human skin or severe corrosion of containers. Protective Action Criteria (PAC) are values established by
the Department of Energy and are based on AEGLs and
DEP is the New Jersey Department of Environmental ERPGs. They are used for emergency planning of chemical
Protection. release events.

DOT is the Department of Transportation, the federal agency PEOSHA is the New Jersey Public Employees Occupational
that regulates the transportation of chemicals. Safety and Health Act, which adopts and enforces health and
safety standards in public workplaces.
EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency, the federal
agency responsible for regulating environmental hazards. Permeated is the movement of chemicals through protective
materials.
ERG is the Emergency Response Guidebook. It is a guide for
emergency responders for transportation emergencies ppm means parts of a substance per million parts of air. It is a
involving hazardous substances. measure of concentration by volume in air.

Emergency Response Planning Guideline (ERPG) values A reactive substance is a solid, liquid or gas that releases
provide estimates of concentration ranges where one energy under certain conditions.
reasonably might anticipate observing adverse effects.
STEL is a Short Term Exposure Limit which is usually a 15-
A fetus is an unborn human or animal. minute exposure that should not be exceeded at any time
during a work day.
A flammable substance is a solid, liquid, vapor or gas that will
ignite easily and burn rapidly. A teratogen is a substance that causes birth defects by
damaging the fetus.
The flash point is the temperature at which a liquid or solid
gives off vapor that can form a flammable mixture with air. UEL or Upper Explosive Limit is the highest concentration in
air above which there is too much fuel (gas or vapor) to begin a
IARC is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a reaction or explosion.
scientific group.
Vapor Density is the ratio of the weight of a given volume of
Ionization Potential is the amount of energy needed to one gas to the weight of another (usually Hydrogen), at the
remove an electron from an atom or molecule. It is measured same temperature and pressure.
in electron volts.
The vapor pressure is a force exerted by the vapor in
IRIS is the Integrated Risk Information System database on equilibrium with the solid or liquid phase of the same
human health effects that may result from exposure to various substance. The higher the vapor pressure the higher
chemicals, maintained by federal EPA. concentration of the substance in air.

LEL or Lower Explosive Limit, is the lowest concentration of

a combustible substance (gas or vapor) in the air capable of
continuing an explosion.
 Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet

Common Name: CUPRIC SULFATE

Synonyms: Copper Sulfate; Blue Vitriol
CAS No: 7758-98-7
Molecular Formula: CuSO4
RTK Substance No: 0549
Description: Odorless, white or bluish-white granule or crystalline powder

HAZARD DATA
Hazard Rating Firefighting Reactivity
2 - Health Extinguish fire using an agent suitable Cupric Sulfate reacts with MAGNESIUM to produce flammable and
for type of surrounding fire. Cupric explosive Hydrogen gas and will react with ACETYLENE to form
0 - Fire Sulfate itself does not burn. shock-sensitive Copper Acetylides.
0 - Reactivity POISONOUS GASES ARE Cupric Sulfate will ignite HYDROXYLAMINE.
PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Cupric Sulfate is not compatible with AMINES; METALS (such as
DOT#: UN 3077 Copper Oxides and Sulfur Oxides. IRON, POTASSIUM, MAGNESIUM and ZINC); REDUCING
ERG Guide #: 171 AGENTS (such as LITHIUM, SODIUM, ALUMINUM and their
HYDRIDES); OXIDIZING AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES,
Hazard Class: 9 PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, NITRATES,
(Environmentally CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE); STRONG BASES (such as
Hazardous Substance) SODIUM HYDROXIDE and POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE);
ISOCYANATES; SODIUM HYPOBROMITE; AMMONIA; and
NITROMETHANE.

SPILL/LEAKS PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Isolation Distance: Odor Threshold: Odorless

Spill: 25 meters (75 feet) Flash Point: Nonflammable

Fire: 800 meters (1/2 mile) Specific Gravity: 2.3 (water = 1)
Collect powdered material in the most convenient and Water Solubility: Soluble
safe manner and place into sealed containers for Boiling Point: 1,040o to 1,202oF (560o to 650oC)
disposal.
Melting Point: >392oF (>200oC)
Cover spill with plastic sheet to prevent dissolving in
rain or firefighting water. Molecular Weight: 249.7
DO NOT wash into sewer.
Cupric Sulfate is harmful to aquatic life in very low
concentrations.

EXPOSURE LIMITS PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

OSHA: 1 mg/m3 (Dust),
0.1 mg/m3 (Fume),
8-hr TWA Gloves: Neoprene and Polyvinyl Chloride
NIOSH: 1 mg/m3 (Dust), 0.1 mg/m3 (Fume),10-hr TWA Coveralls: DuPont Tyvek®
ACGIH: 1 mg/m3 (Dust), 0.2 mg/m3 (Fume), 8-hr TWA Respirator: >0.1 mg/m3 - Full facepiece APR with High efficiency
(All the above are for Copper dust and fume) particulate filter
IDLH: 100 mg/m3 (as Copper) >1 mg/m3 - Supplied air (Fume)
PAC: PAC-1 = 7.5 mg/m3; PAC-2 = 10 mg/m3 >10 mg/m3 - Supplied air (Dust/Mist)
PAC-3 = 59 mg/m3

HEALTH EFFECTS FIRST AID AND DECONTAMINATION

Eyes: Irritation and burns Remove the person from exposure.
Skin: Irritation and burns Flush eyes with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove
contact lenses if worn. Seek medical attention.
Inhalation: Nose and throat irritation with coughing
and wheezing Quickly remove contaminated clothing and wash contaminated skin with
large amounts of water.
Headache, nausea, vomiting and
Begin artificial respiration if breathing has stopped and CPR if necessary.
abdominal pain
Transfer promptly to a medical facility.
August 2016