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Copper fume (as Cu)
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General Description
    Synonyms: CuO: Black copper oxide fume, Copper monoxide fume, Copper(II) oxide fume, Cupric oxide fume

    OSHA IMIS Code Number: 0731

    Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Numbers: 7440-50-8 (Copper); 1317-38-0 (Copper oxide)

    NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: GL7900000 (CuO)

    NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Copper fume (as Cu): chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more
Exposure Limits
    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1 Table -- 0.1 mg/m3 TWA

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 0.1 mg/m3 TWA

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 0.1 mg/m3 TWA

    American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 0.2 mg/m3 TWA

    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 0.1 mg/m3 TWA
Health Factors
    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carcinogenic classification: Group D, Not Classified

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

    Potential symptoms: eye, upper respiratory tract irritation; dermatitis, discolored skin and hair; metallic or sweet taste; metal fume fever (primarily with exposure to multiple metal fumes) with chills, fever, muscle aches, nausea and cough.

    Health Effects: Irritation-Eye, Nose, Throat, Skin---Moderate (HE15) Respiratory Effects---Acute lung damage/edema (HE11)

    Affected organs: Respiratory system, skin, eyes

    Literature Basis:
    • International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Copper
    • U.S. EPA Integrated Risk Information System: Copper (CASRN 7440-50-8)
    • Borak J, Cohen H, Hethmon TA. Copper exposure and metal fume fever: Lack of evidence for a causal relationship. AIHAJ, 2000; 61:832-6.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
    Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:

    • 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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