Material Safety Data Sheet: Copper Powder

1. Identification

Product Name: Copper Powder
Synonyms: Electrolytic copper, Copper dust, Atomized copper
Chemical Formula: Cu
CAS Number: 7440-50-8
Recommended Use: Industrial manufacturing, powder metallurgy, electronics, chemical applications
Supplier: Copper Industries
Emergency Contact Number: Local poison control or industrial safety hotline

2. Hazard Identification

Classification: Eye irritant, Skin irritant, Toxic by inhalation and ingestion, Flammable solid
Hazard Statements: Breathing dust can affect the lungs, repeated skin contact irritates the skin, ingestion may cause gastrointestinal upset and long-term liver or kidney damage, dust is flammable and can explode when suspended in air
Signal Word: Warning
Pictograms: Health hazard, Exclamation mark, Flame
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, keep away from heat and open flame, use protective gloves and goggles, wash hands thoroughly after handling, use only in well-ventilated areas

3. Composition / Information on Ingredients

Copper: 99% or higher
Impurities: Typically contains trace levels of oxygen, lead, arsenic, or silver depending on grade
Physical State: Fine powder, reddish brown color

4. First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move person to fresh air immediately, seek medical attention if breathing becomes difficult, persistent coughing or irritation develops
Skin Contact: Wash affected area with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, remove contaminated clothing, seek medical care for persistent irritation
Eye Contact: Flush eyes with large amounts of water for 15 minutes, hold eyelids open, seek immediate medical attention
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth with water, seek medical advice if large quantities swallowed or symptoms develop

5. Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use Class D dry powder extinguishers designed for metal fires, sand or graphite powder
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Do not use water or halogenated extinguishing agents, may generate explosive hydrogen gas
Specific Hazards: Powder may produce flammable or explosive dust-air mixtures, intense heat generates toxic copper fumes
Protective Equipment: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing
Special Procedures: Isolate fire area, avoid spreading dust, cool containers with dry, non-flammable material

6. Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear appropriate respiratory protection, gloves and eye protection, evacuate unnecessary personnel
Environmental Precautions: Prevent powder from entering drains, sewers, or water systems, report spills to authorities
Cleaning Methods: Sweep up using non-sparking tools, avoid creating airborne dust, place collected material in labeled containers for disposal

7. Handling and Storage

Handling: Operate with local exhaust ventilation, minimize dust generation, avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing, do not ingest or inhale, ground and bond containers for transfer
Storage: Store in low-humidity, cool, dry, well-ventilated location, keep away from incompatible materials such as acids and oxidizers, use tightly sealed containers, keep away from sources of ignition and static discharge

8. Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 1 mg/m³ (TWA, dust/fume), ACGIH TLV: 0.2 mg/m³ (fume), 1 mg/m³ (dust/mist)
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, enclosed processes, dust collection systems
Personal Protective Equipment: NIOSH-approved respirator for fine dust, chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, lab coat or dust-resistant work clothing
Hygiene: Wash hands and face before meals and after handling copper powder, remove contaminated clothing and launder before reuse

9. Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Fine, reddish-brown powder
Odor: None
Melting Point: 1,085°C (1,985°F)
Boiling Point: 2,567°C (4,653°F)
Density: 8.9 g/cm³
Solubility in Water: Insoluble
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not applicable
Particle Size: Granular to ultrafine depending on product
Explosive Properties: Dust may be potentially explosive in air under certain conditions

10. Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions of storage and use
Reactivity: Reacts with strong oxidizers, may form explosive mixtures with chlorinated rubber, azides, ethylene oxide or acetylene
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Copper oxides, toxic metal fumes on overheating or combustion
Incompatible Materials: Acids, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, strong oxidizers
Polymerization: Will not occur

11. Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin and eye contact, ingestion
Acute Effects: Irritates respiratory tract, eyes, and skin, metallic taste, nausea, abdominal pain
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure can damage lungs, liver, kidneys, central nervous system, metal fume fever after inhalation
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
LD50/LC50: Oral (rat): >5,000 mg/kg, Inhalation (rat): >2.31 mg/L/4h
Target Organs: Lungs, liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract

12. Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic organisms—acute and chronic exposure risks water-dwelling species
Persistence and Degradability: Copper does not degrade, remains in the environment
Bioaccumulation Potential: Can accumulate in aquatic environments, enters food chain, affects fish and invertebrates
Mobility in Soil: Binds to soil and sediments, limited migration in groundwater
Other Hazards: Avoid release to environment due to long-term ecological harm

13. Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Collect spills and contaminated material, handle as hazardous waste
Disposal: Dispose in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations for metal waste, do not incinerate or wash down drains, use approved hazardous waste landfill or recycling facility
Container Disposal: Ensure containers are empty and triple-rinsed before discarding or recycling

14. Transport Information

UN Number: UN3077
Proper Shipping Name: Environmentally hazardous substance, solid, n.o.s. (Copper powder)
Transport Hazard Class: 9
Packing Group: III
Label Required: Miscellaneous dangerous goods, environmentally hazardous
Special Provisions: Protect from moisture, avoid rough handling or spillage, follow all domestic and international shipping requirements

15. Regulatory Information

TSCA Status: Listed in US EPA TSCA Inventory
SARA 313: Subject to reporting under Title III, Section 313
OSHA: Hazardous by definition of Hazard Communication Standard
REACH Registration: Listed, subject to registration in the European Union
WHMIS Classification (Canada): D2A, D2B
Other Regulations: Covered by local workplace safety rules regarding heavy metal dust, environment, and worker health monitoring protocols