# NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Copper (dusts and mists, as Cu) | CAS 7440-50-8
Cu | RTECS GL5325000
Synonyms & Trade Names Copper metal dusts, Copper metal fumes | DOT ID & Guide
Exposure Limits | NIOSH REL*: TWA 1 mg/m3 [*Note: The REL also applies to other copper compounds (as Cu) except Copper fume.]
OSHA PEL*: TWA 1 mg/m3 [*Note: The PEL also applies to other copper compounds (as Cu) except copper fume.]
IDLH 100 mg/m3 (as Cu) | Conversion
Physical Description Reddish, lustrous, malleable, odorless solid.
MW: 63.5 | BP: 4703°F | MLT: 1981°F | Sol: Insoluble
VP: 0 mmHg (approx) | IP: NA |  | Sp.Gr: 8.94
Fl.P: NA | UEL: NA | LEL: NA |
Noncombustible Solid in bulk form, but powdered form may ignite.
Incompatibilities & Reactivities Oxidizers, alkalis, sodium azide, acetylene
Measurement Methods NIOSH 7029; OSHA ID121, ID125G
Personal Protection & Sanitation Skin: Prevent skin contact Eyes: Prevent eye contact Wash skin: When contaminated Remove: When wet or contaminated Change: Daily | First Aid (See procedures) Eye: Irrigate immediately Skin: Soap wash promptly Breathing: Respiratory support Swallow: Medical attention immediately
Respirator Recommendations NIOSH/OSHA Up to 5 mg/m3: (APF = 5) Any dust and mist respirator* Up to 10 mg/m3: (APF = 10) Any dust and mist respirator except single-use and quarter-mask respirators*^/(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator* Up to 25 mg/m3: (APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode*/(APF = 25) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a dust and mist filter* Up to 50 mg/m3: (APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter/(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, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms Irritation eyes, respiratory system; cough, dyspnea (breathing difficulty), wheezing; [potential occupational carcinogen]
Target Organs Eyes, skin, respiratory system, liver, kidneys (increase(d) risk with Wilson's disease)
See also: INTRODUCTION