Chemical Sampling Information
Copper fume (as Cu)
Quick Links
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: Metal fume fever; chills, muscle aches; nausea; fever; dry throat, coughing; weakness, lassitude; eye, upper respiratory tract irritation; metallic or sweet taste; discolored skin, hair; increased risk of Wilson's disease
Health Effects: Irritation-Eye, Nose, Throat, Skin---Moderate (HE15) Respiratory Effects---Acute lung damage/edema (HE11)
Affected organs: Respiratory system, skin, eyes
Literature Basis:
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.
All Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.