# NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Copper fume (as Cu) | CAS 1317-38-0 (CuO)
CuO/Cu | RTECS GL7900000 (CuO)
Synonyms & Trade Names CuO: Black copper oxide fume, Copper monoxide fume, Copper(II) oxide fume, Cupric oxide fume Cu: Copper fume [Note: Also see specific listing for Copper (dusts and mists).] | DOT ID & Guide
Exposure Limits | NIOSH REL: TWA 0.1 mg/m3
OSHA PEL: TWA 0.1 mg/m3
IDLH 100 mg/m3 (as Cu) | Conversion
Physical Description Finely divided black particulate dispersed in air. [Note: Exposure may occur in copper & brass plants and during the welding of copper alloys.]
MW: 79.5 | BP: Decomposes | MLT: 1879°F (Decomposes) | Sol: Insoluble
VP: 0 mmHg (approx) | IP: NA |  | Sp.Gr: 6.4 (CuO)
Fl.P: NA | UEL: NA | LEL: NA |
CuO: Noncombustible Solid
Incompatibilities & Reactivities CuO: Acetylene, zirconium [Note: See Copper (dusts and mists) for properties of Copper metal.]
Measurement Methods NIOSH 7029; OSHA ID121, ID125G, ID206
Personal Protection & Sanitation Skin: No recommendation Eyes: No recommendation Wash skin: No recommendation Remove: No recommendation Change: No recommendation | First Aid (See procedures) Breathing: Respiratory support
Respirator Recommendations NIOSH/OSHA Up to 1 mg/m3: (APF = 10) Any dust, mist, and fume respirator/(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator Up to 2.5 mg/m3: (APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode/(APF = 25) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a dust, mist, and fume filter Up to 5 mg/m3: (APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter/(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator that has a tight-fitting facepiece and is operated in a continuous-flow mode/(APF = 50) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a tight-fitting facepiece and a high-efficiency particulate filter/(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece/(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece Up to 100 mg/m3: (APF = 2000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions: (APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure- demand or other positive-pressure mode/(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus Escape: (APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter/Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
Exposure Routes inhalation, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms Irritation eyes, upper respiratory system; metal fume fever: chills, muscle ache, nausea, fever, dry throat, cough, lassitude (weakness, exhaustion); metallic or sweet taste; discoloration skin, hair
Target Organs Eyes, skin, respiratory system (increase(d) risk with Wilson's disease)
See also: INTRODUCTION