Copper sulfate

Synonyms

Blue Copperas; Blue Vicking; Blue copper AS; Blue vitriol; Bluestone; Calcanthite; Copper sulfate (CuSO4) pentahydrate; Copper sulfate pentahydrate; Copper(2+) sulfate (1:1) pentahydrate; Copper(2+) sulfate pentahydrate; Copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate; Cupric Sulfate; Cupric sulfate pentahydrate; Kupfersulfat-pentahydrat [German]; Kupfervitriol [German]; Roman vitriol; Salzburg vitriol; Sulfuric acid, copper(2+) salt, pentahydrate; Triangle; Vencedor; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Metals, Inorganic Compounds

Description

Large, blue or ultramarine, triclinic crystals or blue granules or light-blue powder; [HSDB]

Sources/Uses

Used as a fungicide and algaecide; [Rosenstock, p. 983] Also used as a mordant in textile dyeing; [www.ci.tucson.az.us/arthazards/medium.html] Used to kill roots invading septic tanks; [Goldfrank, p. 1257]

Comments

Granules or crystals can cause first degree burns on short exposure. [CHRIS] Can cause "vineyard sprayers lung," a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis that was reported in agricultural workers in Portugal; [Rosenstock, p. 346, 983] "Studies on exposure to copper dust or fumes in industry as a possible cause of chronic lung disease are mostly negative." Fifteen cases of vineyard sprayers lung were reported in 1968-1973 and attributed to inhalation of copper sulfate in "Bordeaux mixture," but the role of copper has not been fully explained. [Nordberg, p. 778] Acute copper poisoning after ingestion can cause liver injury, methemoglobinemia, and hemolytic anemia. Acute renal failure may result, secondary to massive hemoglobinuria. [Goldfrank, p. 1259-60] A severe skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; [ICSC] See "Copper."

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

1 mg/m3, as Cu

1 mg/m3, as Cu

0.01 mg/m3, respirable fraction (Cu, inorganic cmpnds)

100 mg/m3, as Cu

Hemolytic anemia

MetHgb is secondary toxic effect

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Yes

Skin burns

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Farming (Pesticides)
• Glass Manufacturing
• Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing)

Activities

Activities with risk of exposure:

• Applying metallic patinas
• Glassblowing
• Textile arts