Copper Chloride Hazard Summary Identification

Common Name: COPPER CHLORIDE

CAS Number: 7447-39-4 DOT Number: UN 2802 RTK Substance number: 0532 DOT Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive) Date: February 1999 Revision: February 2007 ------

HAZARD SUMMARY * Copper Chloride can affect you when breathed in. * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely * Contact can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area with possible eye damage. air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results * Repeated exposure can cause thickening of the skin. from your employer. You have a legal right to this * Breathing Copper Chloride can irritate the nose, throat information under the OSHA Access to Employee and lungs causing coughing and wheezing. Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR * Copper Chloride can irritate the stomach causing 1910.1020). salivation, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea. * If you think you are experiencing any work-related health * Repeated exposure can cause shrinking of the inner lining problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational of the nose and may cause ulcers and a hole in the “bone” diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. dividing the inner nose. * Copper Chloride may damage the liver and kidneys. WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS * Copper Chloride is a DOT CORROSIVE CHEMICAL. OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 1 mg/m3 for Copper dusts and mists and IDENTIFICATION 0.1 mg/m3 for Copper fumes, averaged over an Copper Chloride is a brownish-yellow powder. It is used in 8-hour workshift. petroleum, textiles, metallurgy, photography, agricultural products, and as a feed additive and wood preservative. It is NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is also used in light sensitive paper manufacturing, pigments for 1 mg/m3 for Copper dusts and mists and glass and ceramics, and Acrylonitrile manufacturing. 0.1 mg/m3 for Copper fumes, averaged over a 10-hour workshift. REASON FOR CITATION * Copper Chloride is on the Hazardous Substance List ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 3 because it is cited by DOT, DEP and EPA. 1 mg/m for Copper dusts and mists and 3 * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance 0.2 mg/m for Copper fumes, averaged over an List because it is CORROSIVE. 8-hour workshift. * Definitions are provided on page 5. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust EXPOSED ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most employers worn. to label chemicals in the workplace and requires public * Wear protective work clothing. employers to provide their employees with information and * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Copper training concerning chemical hazards and controls. The federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR Chloride and at the end of the workshift. 1910.1200) requires private employers to provide similar * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In training and information to their employees. addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort, communicate all information on the health and safety hazards of Copper Chloride to potentially exposed workers.

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This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and potential and most severe health hazards that may result from present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance damage already done are not a substitute for controlling and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the exposure. potential effects described below. ------Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under the OSHA Access to Employee HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020).

Acute Health Effects Mixed Exposures The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur * Because more than light alcohol consumption can cause immediately or shortly after exposure to Copper Chloride: liver damage, drinking alcohol can increase the liver damage caused by Copper Chloride. * Contact can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes with possible eye damage. Conditions Made Worse By Exposure * Breathing Copper Chloride can irritate the nose, throat and * “Wilson’s Disease” is a rare hereditary condition which lungs causing coughing and wheezing. interferes with the body’s ability to get rid of Copper. If * Copper Chloride can irritate the stomach causing you have this illness, consult your doctor about Copper salivation, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea. exposure.

Chronic Health Effects WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Copper Chloride and can last for Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous months or years: substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to Cancer Hazard enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at * According to the information presently available to the New the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Copper reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is Chloride has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is in animals. sometimes necessary.

Reproductive Hazard In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: * According to the information presently available to the New (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Copper substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether Chloride has not been tested for its ability to affect harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls reproduction. should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. Other Long-Term Effects * Repeated exposure can cause thickening of the skin and In addition, the following control is recommended: may cause a greenish color to the skin and hair. * Repeated exposure can cause shrinking of the inner lining * Where possible, automatically transfer Copper Chloride of the nose and may cause ulcers and a hole in the “bone” from drums or other storage containers to process dividing the inner nose. containers. * Copper Chloride may damage the liver and kidneys. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous MEDICAL exposures. The following work practices are recommended:

* Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Copper Medical Testing Chloride should change into clean clothing promptly. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family following are recommended: members could be exposed. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by * Liver and kidney function tests individuals who have been informed of the hazards of * Serum and urine Copper levels exposure to Copper Chloride. * Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate work area for emergency use. COPPER CHLORIDE page 3 of 6

* If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency * NIOSH has established new testing and certification shower facilities should be provided. requirements for negative pressure, air purifying, particulate * On skin contact with Copper Chloride, immediately wash filter and filtering facepiece respirators. The filter or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the classifications of dust/mist/fume, paint spray or pesticide workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have prefilters, and filters for radon daughters, have been contacted Copper Chloride, whether or not known skin replaced with the N, R, and P series. Each series has three contact has occurred. levels of filtering efficiency: 95%, 99%, and 99.9%. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Copper Chloride is Check with your safety equipment supplier or your handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be respirator manufacturer to determine which respirator is swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating, drinking, appropriate for your facility. applying cosmetics, smoking, or using the toilet. * If while wearing a filter or cartridge respirator you can * Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean- smell, taste, or otherwise detect Copper Chloride, or if up. DO NOT DRY SWEEP. while wearing particulate filters abnormal resistance to breathing is experienced, or eye irritation occurs while PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT wearing a full facepiece respirator, leave the area immediately. Check to make sure the respirator-to-face seal WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN is still good. If it is, replace the filter or cartridge. If the PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for seal is no longer good, you may need a new respirator. some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs * Be sure to consider all potential exposures in your done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace workplace. You may need a combination of filters, controls are being installed), personal protective equipment prefilters or cartridges to protect against different forms of a may be appropriate. chemical (such as vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals. The OSHA Personal Protective Equipment Standard (29 CFR * Where the potential exists for exposure over 10 mg/m3 (as 1910.132) requires employers to determine the appropriate Copper), use a NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator personal protective equipment for each hazard and to train with a full facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other employees on how and when to use protective equipment. positive-pressure mode. For increased protection use in

combination with an auxiliary self-contained breathing The following recommendations are only guidelines and may apparatus operated in a pressure-demand or other positive- not apply to every situation. pressure mode.

* Exposure to 100 mg/m3 (as Copper) is immediately Clothing dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposure * Avoid skin contact with Copper Chloride. Wear above 100 mg/m3 exists, use a NIOSH approved self- protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated suppliers/manufacturers can provide recommendations on in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode the most protective glove/clothing material for your equipped with an emergency escape air cylinder. operation. * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS should be clean, available each day, and put on before

work. Q: If I have acute health effects, will I later get chronic health effects? Eye Protection A: Not always. Most chronic (long-term) effects result from * Wear impact resistant eye protection with side shields or repeated exposures to a chemical. goggles.

* Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with Q: Can I get long-term effects without ever having short- corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances. term effects?

A: Yes, because long-term effects can occur from repeated Respiratory Protection exposures to a chemical at levels not high enough to make IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. you immediately sick. Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, Q: What are my chances of getting sick when I have been requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing, and exposed to chemicals? medical exams, as described in the OSHA Respiratory A: The likelihood of becoming sick from chemicals is Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). increased as the amount of exposure increases. This is determined by the length of time and the amount of material to which someone is exposed.

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Q: When are higher exposures more likely? ------A: Conditions which increase risk of exposure include dust The following information is available from: releasing operations (grinding, mixing, blasting, dumping, etc.), other physical and mechanical processes (heating, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services pouring, spraying, spills and evaporation from large Occupational Health Service surface areas such as open containers), and "confined PO Box 360 space" exposures (working inside vats, reactors, boilers, Trenton, NJ 08625-0360 small rooms, etc.). (609) 984-1863 (609) 984-7407 (fax) Q: Is the risk of getting sick higher for workers than for community residents? Web address: http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/odisweb/ A: Yes. Exposures in the community, except possibly in cases of fires or spills, are usually much lower than those Industrial Hygiene Information found in the workplace. However, people in the Industrial hygienists are available to answer your questions community may be exposed to contaminated water as regarding the control of chemical exposures using exhaust well as to chemicals in the air over long periods. This ventilation, special work practices, good housekeeping, good may be a problem for children or people who are already hygiene practices, and personal protective equipment including respirators. In addition, they can help to interpret the results of ill. industrial hygiene survey data.

Medical Evaluation If you think you are becoming sick because of exposure to chemicals at your workplace, you may call personnel at the Department of Health and Senior Services, Occupational Health Service, who can help you find the information you need.

Public Presentations Presentations and educational programs on occupational health or the Right to Know Act can be organized for labor unions, trade associations and other groups.

Right to Know Information Resources The Right to Know Infoline (609) 984-2202 can answer questions about the identity and potential health effects of chemicals, list of educational materials in occupational health, references used to prepare the Fact Sheets, preparation of the Right to Know Survey, education and training programs, labeling requirements, and general information regarding the Right to Know Act. Violations of the law should be reported to (609) 984-2202. ------

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DEFINITIONS

ACGIH is the American Conference of Governmental NAERG is the North American Emergency Response Industrial Hygienists. It recommends upper limits (called Guidebook. It was jointly developed by Transport Canada, the TLVs) for exposure to workplace chemicals. United States Department of Transportation and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation of Mexico. It is a A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer. guide for first responders to quickly identify the specific or generic hazards of material involved in a transportation The CAS number is assigned by the Chemical Abstracts incident, and to protect themselves and the general public Service to identify a specific chemical. during the initial response phase of the incident.

CFR is the Code of Federal Regulations, which consists of the NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. It classifies regulations of the United States government. substances according to their fire and explosion hazard.

A combustible substance is a solid, liquid or gas that will burn. NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. It tests equipment, evaluates and approves respirators, A corrosive substance is a gas, liquid or solid that causes conducts studies of workplace hazards, and proposes standards irreversible damage to human tissue or containers. to OSHA.

DEP is the New Jersey Department of Environmental NTP is the National Toxicology Program which tests Protection. chemicals and reviews evidence for cancer.

DOT is the Department of Transportation, the federal agency OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, that regulates the transportation of chemicals. which adopts and enforces health and safety standards.

EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency, the federal PEL is the Permissible Exposure Limit which is enforceable by agency responsible for regulating environmental hazards. the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

A fetus is an unborn human or animal. PIH is a DOT designation for chemicals which are Poison Inhalation Hazards. A flammable substance is a solid, liquid, vapor or gas that will ignite easily and burn rapidly. ppm means parts of a substance per million parts of air. It is a measure of concentration by volume in air. The flash point is the temperature at which a liquid or solid gives off vapor that can form a flammable mixture with air. A reactive substance is a solid, liquid or gas that releases energy under certain conditions. IARC is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a scientific group that classifies chemicals according to their STEL is a Short Term Exposure Limit which is usually a 15- cancer-causing potential. minute exposure that should not be exceeded at any time during a work day. IRIS is the Integrated Risk Information System database of the federal EPA. A teratogen is a substance that causes birth defects by damaging the fetus. A miscible substance is a liquid or gas that will evenly dissolve in another. TLV is the Threshold Limit Value, the workplace exposure limit recommended by ACGIH. mg/m3 means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of air. It is a measure of concentration (weight/volume). The vapor pressure is a measure of how readily a liquid or a solid mixes with air at its surface. A higher vapor pressure A mutagen is a substance that causes mutations. A mutation is indicates a higher concentration of the substance in air and a change in the genetic material in a body cell. Mutations can therefore increases the likelihood of breathing it in. lead to birth defects, miscarriages, or cancer.

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Common Name: COPPER CHLORIDE HANDLING AND STORAGE DOT Number: UN 2802 DOT Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive) * Prior to working with Copper Chloride you should be NAERG Code: 154 trained on its proper handling and storage. CAS Number: 7447-39-4 * Copper Chloride reacts violently with ALKALI METALS (such as LITHIUM, POTASSIUM, and SODIUM) and contact with ACETYLENE forms shock-sensitive Copper Hazard rating NJDHSS NFPA Acetylides. FLAMMABILITY 0 - * Copper Chloride will react with STRONG BASES (such REACTIVITY 0 - as SODIUM HYDROXIDE and POTASSIUM CORROSIVE HYDROXIDE), and STRONG ACIDS (such as POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and NITRIC) to produce CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE toxic Hydrogen Chloride gas. Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated 3=serious; 4=severe area away from MOISTURE and ALUMINUM.

FIRE HAZARDS FIRST AID

* Extinguish fire using an agent suitable for type of For POISON INFORMATION call 1-800-222-1222 surrounding fire. Copper Chloride itself does not burn. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, Eye Contact including Hydrogen Chloride gas. * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. * Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. * Copper Chloride may ignite combustibles (wood, paper Skin Contact and oil). * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be contaminated skin with large amounts of water. trained and equipped as stated in the OSHA Fire Brigades Standard (29 CFR 1910.156). Breathing * Remove the person from exposure. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES * Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. If Copper Chloride is spilled, take the following steps: * Transfer promptly to a medical facility.

* Evacuate personnel and secure and control entrance to the PHYSICAL DATA area. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe Water Solubility: Soluble manner and deposit in sealed containers. * Ventilate and wash area after clean-up is complete. OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Copper Chloride as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Chemical Name: Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your Copper Chloride regional office of the federal Environmental Protection Other Name: Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations. Copper Dichloride * If employees are required to clean-up spills, they must be properly trained and equipped. The OSHA Hazardous ------Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (29 Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial CFR 1910.120) may apply. purposes. ======------FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND department. You can request emergency information from the SENIOR SERVICES following: Right to Know Program PO Box 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 CHEMTREC: (800) 424-9300 (609) 984-2202 NJDEP HOTLINE: 1-877-WARN-DEP ------======