Material Safety Data Sheet for Copper Sulfate Anhydrous

Identification

Product Name: Copper Sulfate Anhydrous
Chemical Formula: CuSO₄
Synonyms: Anhydrous copper(II) sulfate, Copper monosulfate, Copper(II) sulfate
CAS Number: 7758-98-7
Recommended Use: Laboratory chemical, agriculture (fungicide, algicide), electroplating, industrial processes
Supplier: Sourced from major chemical suppliers globally, always check shipping origin for compliance
Emergency Contact: Refer to local or company emergency number; US CHEMTREC support 1-800-424-9300
Restriction: Not for food, drug, or household use; keep out of public water supplies

Hazard Identification

Classification: Acute Toxicity (Oral, Dermal, Inhalation), Eye Irritation, Skin Corrosion/Irritation, Aquatic Acute and Chronic Hazard
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, causes serious eye damage, causes skin burns, highly toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects
Pictograms: Corrosive (GHS05), Acute Toxicity (GHS06), Environmental Hazard (GHS09)
Precautionary Statements: Do not breathe dust, avoid contact with skin and eyes, wear chemical protective gear, do not release to environment, wash hands thoroughly after handling
Symptoms of Exposure: Burning pain, vomiting, diarrhea, methemoglobinemia, kidney or liver injury with chronic or high-level exposure

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Identity: Copper Sulfate Anhydrous
Concentration: 99% or higher for most laboratory and industrial grades
Impurities: Sulfate byproducts & minimal trace heavy metals possible based on sourcing
Ingredient CAS Number: 7758-98-7

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Leave the dusty environment, head outside for fresh air; call a health professional if you feel faint, short of breath, or develop chest pain
Skin Contact: Rinse gently with water for several minutes. Remove clothing that has come in contact with copper sulfate. Soap and water should be used to remove residue
Eye Contact: Use an eyewash for at least 15 minutes, make sure to lift upper and lower eyelids; seek medical attention immediately
Ingestion: Never induce vomiting, rinse mouth, drink water only if conscious and alert, find poison control or emergency healthcare
Additional Advice: Show this safety sheet to a treating physician, and let responders know the substance and symptoms quickly for treatment

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use any available type for surrounding fire (water spray, CO₂, dry powder, foam); copper sulfate itself will not burn
Hazards from Combustion: Toxic metal fumes possible in case of a fire, especially sulfur oxides and copper oxides
Protective Equipment: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus plus full gear to prevent inhalation of metal dust or fumes
Special Procedures: Evacuate except for trained fire responders, isolate scene, keep runoff away from sewers and waterways, avoid inhaling combustion gasses

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear non-permeable gloves, goggles, dust-resistant clothing, approved respirator if dust forms
Environmental Protections: Keep from entering drains, surface water, and soil. Cover drains and local spill to prevent runoff
Methods for Cleaning: Scoop up with non-sparking, inert materials and place in closed, labeled containers. Flush area with large amounts of water if safe, prevent washings from reaching water bodies
Emergency Procedures: Evacuate area, control dust. Facilities should have spill cleanup plans and personal decontamination stations

Handling and Storage

Handling: Avoid direct contact and dusty environments. Use local exhaust or handling enclosures to cut down airborne particles. Never mix with acids or reducing agents
Storage: Store in tightly sealed containers in a dry, well-ventilated place, away from incompatible substances such as finely powdered metals, reducing agents, strong acids
Hygiene Measures: Wash thoroughly before eating, drinking, or smoking. Maintain a clean workspace and develop clear procedures for spill and exposure management
Incompatibilities: Acetylene gas, magnesium, strong acids, aluminum–contact may lead to dangerous reactions

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 1 mg/m³ (dust and mist, as copper), ACGIH TLV: 1 mg/m³ (dust and mist, as copper)
Ventilation: Use chemical fume hoods or local exhaust, especially during weighing, mixing, or transferring
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), long-sleeved garments, apron, dust mask or respirator when above exposure limit
Skin Protection: Use disposable suits and change out after contamination. Regular handwashing should be routine
Respiratory Protection: Dust respirators for any open handling or spill cleaning jobs, use only approved filtration (NIOSH or equivalent)

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Pale gray, white, or slightly bluish powder or crystals, often odorless
Molecular Weight: 159.61 g/mol
Melting Point: 110 °C (decomposes releasing SO₃)
Solubility in Water: Highly soluble, giving strong blue solution
Density: 3.6 g/cm³
pH of Solution: Acidic, usually between 3–4 for a 5% solution
Vapor Pressure: Not volatile in normal environmental range
Other: Non-combustible; dust may cause mechanical irritation

Stability and Reactivity

Stability: Chemically stable at room temperature in sealed container, but moisture causes cake formation and potential partial hydrolysis. Exposure to strong heat may produce toxic fumes
Conditions to Avoid: Humid or wet storage conditions, excessive heat, contact with incompatible materials
Hazardous Decomposition: Sulfur oxides, copper oxides may form during intense heating or fire
Polymerization: Does not self-polymerize
Reactivity: Reacts dangerously with strong acids, reducing agents, aluminum, magnesium metals

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Oral LD₅₀ (rat): 300 mg/kg to 960 mg/kg. Symptoms of acute poisoning: headache, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, green or blue discoloration of vomit, diarrhea; possibility of kidney and liver effects
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes burns by direct contact, especially on prolonged skin contact
Eye Damage: Eye contact produces severe irritation, possible chemical burns
Inhalation Toxicity: Irritation of respiratory mucosa, cough, wheezing, chest tightness in acute or chronic exposure
Long-term Effects: Chronic exposure can provoke anemia, liver and kidney impairment, irritation of nasal septum, sensitization
Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: Not considered carcinogenic. Not classified as mutagenic, but chronic damage possible due to free copper radical chemistry

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Acute toxicity to fish (LC50, 96 hr): 0.03–1.17 mg/L; highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates and algae. Algal blooms and aquatic ecosystem collapse possible from overuse
Persistence: Does not degrade rapidly, copper can persist as ion or precipitated form, leading to accumulation
Bioaccumulative Potential: Moderate, especially in river sediments and aquatic creatures; toxic to higher trophic levels via food chain
Mobility: Dissolves easily in water, can move through soils with rain
Other Effects: Discharges of copper sulfate should be strictly controlled to protect local water quality and wildlife habitat

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Dispose of as hazardous waste under local, regional or national guidelines. Do not pour into drains, soils, or natural waterways
Container Cleaning: Rinse containers thoroughly in controlled locations, neutralize any residues and handle as chemical waste
Incineration: Only with proper flue gas cleaning for sulfur oxides and copper residues
Recycling: Reclaim or recover copper content if possible, using industrial protocols
Landfill: Approved chemical landfill only, with environmental safeguards

Transport Information

UN Number: 3077
UN Proper Shipping Name: Environmentally Hazardous Substance, Solid, N.O.S. (Copper Sulfate Anhydrous)
Transport Hazard Class: 9 (Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances)
Packing Group: III
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Special Precautions: Label all packages clearly, keep dry, avoid co-loading with foodstuff, use robust outer drums or containers
Regulations: Subject to ADR/RID, IMDG, IATA Dangerous Goods requirements

Regulatory Information

OSHA: Listed hazardous chemical, requires comprehensive hazard communication on labels and bulk containers
TSCA: Listed on U.S. Chemical Inventory
EU REACH: Registered substance, subject to stringent environmental release standards
EPA: Reportable quantity = 10 lbs (Superfund regulations)
WHMIS (Canada): Classified as D2B (toxic), E (corrosive material)
International Listings: Found on major national inventories (Australia AICS, Japan ENCS, Korea ECL, China IECSC)
Restrictions: Agricultural uses subject to pesticide/fungicide permit schemes, fire and emergency codes in commercial settings