Product Name: Copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate
Synonyms: Bluestone, Blue Vitriol, Cupric sulfate
Chemical Formula: CuSO4·5H2O
CAS Number: 7758-99-8
Manufacturer: Common chemical producers, check packaging for local supplier
Recommended Uses: Fungicide, algicide, root killer, analytical reagent, electroplating, pigment
Emergency Contact Information: Local poison control, workplace safety officer, national chemical emergency hotline
Hazard Class: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), Eye irritation, Environmental hazard
Label Elements: Skull and crossbones, exclamation mark, dead fish and tree icons
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, toxic in contact with skin, causes serious eye irritation, very toxic to aquatic life
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, wash hands thoroughly, wear protective eyewear, keep away from food and animal feed, do not release into waterways
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin, eyes
Potential Effects: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, dermatitis, eye burns, respiratory irritation, possible kidney and liver injury at high doses
Chemical Name: Copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate
Concentration: 98-100% pure typical
CAS Number: 7758-99-8
Impurities: Small amounts of water-insoluble material; heavy metals sometimes present in trace quantities
Component Descriptions: Main ingredient typically industrial grade CuSO4·5H2O, always check batch certificate for purity details
Inhalation: Move exposed person to fresh air, keep at rest. Seek medical attention if breathing becomes difficult, give oxygen if qualified personnel are available.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin thoroughly with soap and plenty of water, monitor for rash or irritation, obtain medical help if symptoms persist.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for at least 20 minutes, keep eyelids open, remove contact lenses if present and easy. Immediate professional eye examination recommended.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person, seek immediate medical advice. Monitor for signs of poisoning.
Immediate Symptoms to Watch For: Shortness of breath, chest pain, convulsions, blue or pale skin tone, mental confusion. All are emergencies requiring prompt attention.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, foam, dry chemical, or CO2 to douse flames. Avoid high-pressure streams which could spread contaminated dust.
Hazardous Combustion Products: Releases toxic and irritating fumes of copper oxides and sulfur oxides at high temperatures.
Firefighting Protective Equipment: Wear full protective clothing, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Approach fire from upwind.
Special Procedures: Cool unopened containers exposed to flames. Avoid runoff to water sources, as spilled material is highly toxic to aquatic life.
Explosion Sensitivity: Not combustible but reacts with strong acids to release toxic fumes. Dust may pose explosion hazard if dispersed in air with an ignition source, although extremely rare for copper sulfate.
Personal Precautions: Evacuate nonessential staff, wear dust masks/respirators, impermeable gloves, goggles, coveralls.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent material from entering drains, surface water, or soil. Notify environmental agencies as required.
Clean-up Methods: Collect spilled material by sweeping up gently, place in marked, sealed containers for disposal. Avoid generating dust. Use wet methods to prevent airborne spread if possible.
Decontamination: Wash spill area with plenty of water, dispose of cleaning water properly. Alert maintenance of area until all risk assessed as remedied.
Handling: Avoid direct contact, handle in well-ventilated areas, avoid inhalation of dust, wash hands after handling, do not eat, drink, or smoke when using, keep away from incompatible substances like strong acids, reducing agents, and magnesium. Use equipment and containers that prevent spillage.
Storage: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated room in tightly closed, labeled containers away from food, feed, combustibles, and acids. Use corrosion-proof shelving where possible. Limit access to authorized, trained personnel.
Incompatibles: Acids, alkalis, magnesium, powdered metals, reducing agents, moisture. Copper sulfate decomposes in strong heat.
Special Storage Considerations: Keep container tightly sealed. Protect from physical damage. Secure storage against leaks or accidental opening.
Occupational Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV for copper (dust and mist): 1 mg/m3 (TWA); OSHA PEL: 1 mg/m3.
Engineering Controls: Use local ventilation, process enclosures, avoid recirculation of contaminated air, monitor copper dust levels in workplace air.
Personal Protection: Safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves (rubber or PVC), protective clothing, dust mask or respirator (NIOSH approved), eyewash stations, safety showers.
Hygiene Measures: Do not eat, drink, or smoke while working with this material. Wash hands thoroughly before breaks and after handling.
Appearance: Blue crystalline solid
Odor: Odorless
Odor Threshold: Not applicable
pH: 3.7–4.2 (50 g/l, 20°C aqueous solution)
Melting Point: Decomposes at 110°C (loses water of hydration at lower temps)
Boiling Point: Not applicable (decomposes)
Flash Point: Not flammable
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Flammability: Not flammable
Vapor Pressure: Not measurable
Vapor Density: Not applicable
Solubility: Soluble in water (around 32 g/100 mL at 20°C)
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not available
Decomposition Temperature: 150°C (approximate loss of water of crystallization)
Relative Density: 2.28 (water = 1)
Bulk Density: Depends on crystal size and hydration
Chemical Stability: Stable when stored properly in dry conditions.
Conditions to Avoid: Moist or humid air, extreme heat, exposure to acids and combustibles, contact with incompatible metals.
Incompatible Materials: Powdered metals, strong acids, strong alkalis, magnesium, acetylene.
Hazardous Decomposition: Releases toxic sulfur oxides and copper oxides during decomposition or in fire.
Polymerization: Does not undergo hazardous polymerization.
Reactivity: Reacts with moisture, acids, and some reducing agents.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, eye contact.
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 300 mg/kg, Dermal LD50 (rat): >2000 mg/kg. Can be toxic by ingestion with symptoms like severe digestive tract irritation, vomiting blue-green matter, abdominal pain, anemia, jaundice, kidney damage. Inhalation can irritate respiratory tract.
Chronic Toxicity: Prolonged or repeated exposure may cause allergic skin reactions, kidney and liver damage, and neurological symptoms. Copper toxicity may lead to anemia and bone marrow depression.
Skin/Eye Effects: Causes irritation, redness, and pain. Eye contact risks corneal damage.
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP, OSHA.
Other Data: People with pre-existing diseases of the skin, liver, or kidneys may suffer increased health risks. Children are more sensitive to copper poisoning.
Ecotoxicity: Extremely toxic to aquatic organisms, algae, invertebrates, and fish. LC50 (96h, fish): 0.1-2.5 mg/L depending on species.
Persistence and Degradability: Copper ions persist in water, soil, sediments; not readily degradable; bioaccumulates in aquatic life.
Bioaccumulation: High potential for accumulation in fish and plants, can transfer up food chains.
Mobility in Soil: Moderately mobile, binds to organic matter and clay, but leaches in sandy or acidic soils.
Other Adverse Effects: Runoff can result in damage to local ecosystems, disrupt natural flora/fauna, can cause long-term adverse impacts on biodiversity.
Safe Disposal Methods: Dispose as a hazardous waste per local, regional, national and international regulations. Do not flush down drains.
Waste Treatment: Use licensed disposal contractors, neutralize small amounts in large volumes of water then treat with lime or soda ash to precipitate copper.
Container Disposal: Triple rinse, prevent reuse, puncture and send to certified hazardous waste site if legal.
Precautions: Never dispose into environment; improper disposal attracts strict penalties.
Recommended Practices: Keep records of disposal, notify appropriate environmental authorities if large quantities spill.
UN Number: 3077
UN Proper Shipping Name: Environmentally hazardous substance, solid, n.o.s. (contains copper sulfate)
Transport Hazard Class: 9
Packing Group: III
Special Precautions: Protect from moisture, keep container intact and secure. Spilled material during transit could be environmentally harmful.
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Land Transport (ADR/RID): Regulated under hazardous goods provisions.
Sea Transport (IMDG): Regulated, marine pollutant label required.
Air Transport (IATA): Avoid shipping by air when possible, abide by hazardous material restrictions.
U.S. Regulations: TSCA listed, SARA 313 reportable for copper compounds, RCRA hazardous waste (D001, D002, D005, D010 for copper content), CERCLA reportable quantity 10 lbs.
Canada: WHMIS classification: Class D, Division 1B and 2B, Controlled Product.
Europe: Covered by REACH, classified as hazardous. Requires environmental safety label.
Other Countries: Regulated as hazardous or controlled in most jurisdictions. Specific restrictions may apply for food, pharmaceutical, potable water, and agriculture use.
Workplace Labeling and Training: Required under hazard communication standards. Employees expected to know emergency and safe handling protocols.