COPPER

Reddish lustrous malleable odorless metallic solid.

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Solid pieces are very slowly oxidized by air to give a green basic carbonate. Solid pieces become covered by a black oxide when heated in air. Insoluble in water.

Excerpt from 170 [Metals (Powders, Dusts, Shavings, Borings, Turnings, or Cuttings, etc.)]:

May react violently or explosively on contact with water. Some are transported in flammable liquids. May be ignited by friction, heat, sparks or flames. Some of these materials will burn with intense heat. Dusts or fumes may form explosive mixtures in air. Containers may explode when heated. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Copper (dusts and mists, as Cu):

Exposure Routes: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

Symptoms: Irritation eyes, nose, pharynx; nasal septum perforation; metallic taste; dermatitis; In Animals: lung, liver, kidney damage; anemia

Target Organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system, liver, kidneys (increased risk with Wilson's disease) (NIOSH, 2023)

COPPER combines violently with chlorine trifluoride in the presence of carbon [Mellor 2, Supp. 1, 1956]. Is oxidized by sodium peroxide with incandescence [Mellor 2:490-93, 1946-1947]. Forms an unstable acetylide when acetylene is passed over samples that have been heated enough to form an oxide coating. Reacts more rapidly in powdered or granular form. Subject to explosive reaction then mixed in finely divided form with finely divided bromates chlorates and iodates of barium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, or zinc; these reactions are initiated by heat, percussion, and occasionally light friction [Mellor 2:310, 1946-1947]. A solution of sodium azide in copper pipe with lead joints formed copper azide and lead azide, both of these compounds can detonate [Klotz, 1973].

• Metals, Less Reactive

No information available.

Excerpt from 170 [Metals (Powders, Dusts, Shavings, Borings, Turnings, or Cuttings, etc.)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 50 meters (160 feet).

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from 170 [Metals (Powders, Dusts, Shavings, Borings, Turnings, or Cuttings, etc.)]:

DO NOT USE WATER, FOAM OR CO2. Dousing metallic fires with water will generate hydrogen gas, an extremely dangerous explosion hazard, particularly if fire is in a confined environment (i.e., building, cargo hold, etc.). Use DRY sand, graphite powder, dry sodium chloride-based extinguishers, or class D extinguishers. Confining and smothering metal fires is preferable rather than applying water. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: If impossible to extinguish, protect surroundings and allow fire to burn itself out. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from 170 [Metals (Powders, Dusts, Shavings, Borings, Turnings, or Cuttings, etc.)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Copper (dusts and mists, as Cu):

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED - Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: DAILY - Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises. (NIOSH, 2023)

No information available.

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Copper (dusts and mists, as Cu):

Eye: IRRIGATE IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.

Skin: SOAP WASH PROMPTLY - If this chemical contacts the skin, promptly wash the contaminated skin with soap and water. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, promptly remove the clothing and wash the skin with soap and water. Get medical attention promptly.

Breathing: RESPIRATORY SUPPORT - If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get medical attention as soon as possible.

Swallow: MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately. (NIOSH, 2023)

• COPPER
• COPPER COMPOUNDS
• COPPER METAL DUSTS
• COPPER METAL FUMES