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Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
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General Description

Synonyms: Copper metal dusts; Copper metal fumes

OSHA IMIS Code Number: 0730

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 7440-50-8

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: GL5325000

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Copper (dusts and mists, as Cu): chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more

Exposure Limits

OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):

General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1 Table -- 1 mg/m3 TWA

Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 1 mg/m3 TWA

Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 1 mg/m3 TWA

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 1 mg/m3 TWA

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 1 mg/m3 TWA

Health Factors

Carcinogenic Classification:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Group D, not classified

NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 100 mg/m3 (as Cu)

Potential Symptoms: eye, upper respiratory tract irritation; dermatitis; rare interstitial lung disease/ pulmonary fibrosis; ingestion- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; ingestion of large dose- liver damage, acute renal failure, death.

Health Effects: Irritation-Eye, Nose, Throat, Skin---Moderate (HE15); Cumulative Lung Damage (HE10)

Affected Organs: Respiratory system, skin, liver, kidneys

Literature Basis:

  • International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Copper
  • U.S. EPA Integrated Risk Information System: Copper (CASRN 7440-50-8)
  • Kelleher P, Pacheco K, Newman LS. Inorganic dust pneumonias: The Metal-related parenchymal disorders. Env Hlth Persp, 2000; 108:685-96.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Primary Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method (SLC1):

  • sampling media: Mixed Cellulose Ester Filter (MCEF) 0.8 microns
    maximum volume: 960 Liters
    minimum volume: 480 Liters
    maximum flow rate: 2.0 L/min
    current analytical method: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy; AAS
    method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA ID-121)
    method classification: Fully Validated

  • alternate analytical method: Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma; ICP-AES/MS, AAS
    method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA ID-125G, OSHA ID-206, OSHA ID-105, OSHA 1006)
    method classification: Fully Validated
    note: If the filter is not overloaded, samples may be collected up to an 8-hour period. Analytical method does not distinguish between dust and fume.

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