Common Name: Copper Cyanide CAS Number: 14763-77-0 DOT Number: UN 1587 Date: April 10, 1987 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Copper Cyanide can affect you when breathed in. * Eye contact can cause severe burns with loss of vision. * Skin contact can cause irritation or burns. * Breathing Copper Cyanide causes irritation of the nose and may cause nose bleeds or sores in the nose. Irritation of the air passages also occurs. * Heating Copper Cyanide releases deadly CYANIDE gas. IDENTIFICATION Copper Cyanide is a green powder. It is used in electroplating copper on iron, and as an insecticide and a catalyst. REASON FOR CITATION * Copper Cyanide is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by NIOSH, ACGIH and DOT. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results from your employer. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. * If you think you are experiencing any work-related health problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. ----------------------------------------- WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS These exposure limits are recommended for Copper dust and mist, as Copper. OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 1 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour work-shift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 1 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort, communicate all information on the health and safety hazards of Copper Cyanide to potentially exposed workers. This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all potential and most severe health hazards that may result from exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential effects described below. ------------------------------------------ HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Copper Cyanide: * Contact can burn the eyes, with severe damage, and cause skin irritation or burns. * Breathing Copper Cyanide irritates the nose. Nose bleeds or nose ulcers may result. Irritation of air passages also occurs, with cough. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Copper Cyanide and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Copper Cyanide has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals. Reproductive Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Copper Cyanide has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long-Term Effects * Repeated exposure can cause Copper to deposit in the liver and other body organs, causing damage. Copper deposits in the skin and hair also occur, leaving a green color. * Repeated exposure can also cause shrinking (atrophy) of the inner lining of the nose, with a watery discharge. Metallic taste may also occur. * Exposure may cause skin allergy, with rash and itching. If allergy develops, even low future exposures may trigger rash. * Very irritating substances may affect the lungs. It is not known whether Copper Cyanide causes lung damage. MEDICAL Medical Testing For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the TLV or greater), the following are recommended before beginning work and at regular times after that: * Lung function tests. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Urine copper test. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already done are not a substitute for controlling exposure. Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. Mixed Exposures Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce your risk of developing health problems. Conditions Made Worse By Exposure Persons who have Wilson's disease (a rare hereditary condition which interferes with the body's ability to get rid of Copper) are at increased risk with Copper exposure. WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary. In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Copper Cyanide should change into clean clothing promptly. * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members could be exposed. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Copper Cyanide. * Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate work area for emergency use. * On skin contact with Copper Cyanide, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Copper Cyanide, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Copper Cyanide is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. * Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean-up. Do not dry sweep. * When vacuuming, a high efficiency particulate absolute (HEPA) filter should be used, not a standard shop vacuum. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be appropriate. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply to every situation. Clothing * Avoid skin contact with Copper Cyanide. Wear protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/clothing material for your operation. * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day and put on before work. Eye Protection * Wear dust-proof goggles and face shield when working with powders or dust, unless full facepiece respiratory protection is worn. Respiratory Protection IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. * Where the potential exists for exposures over 5 mg/m3, use a MSHA/ NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece operated in the positive pressure mode or with a full facepiece, hood, or helmet in the continuous flow mode, or use a MSHA/ NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode. * Exposure to 50 mg/m3 is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposures above 50 mg/m3 exists, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in continuous flow or other positive pressure mode. ADDITIONAL WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS (Recommended for Cyanides) OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour work-shift. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 5 mg/m3, which should not be exceeded during any 10 minute work period. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift. Common Name: Copper Cyanide DOT Number: UN 1587 DOT Emergency Guide code: 53 CAS Number: 14763-77-0 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY Not Found REACTIVITY Not Found ---------------------------------------- POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Cyanide Gas and Nitrous Oxide. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Copper Cyanide is spilled, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until clean-up is complete. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Copper Cyanide as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your regional office of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ========================================== HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Copper Cyanide you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Copper Cyanide must be stored to avoid contact with CHEMICALLY ACTIVE METALS (such as POTASSIUM, SODIUM, MAGNESIUM and ZINC) since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from ACETYLENE GAS. FIRST AID Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and water. PHYSICAL DATA Water Solubility: Insoluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Cupricin; Cuprous Cyanide. ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Program CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Copper is a commonly occurring element in our natural water. At low concentrations it is an essential element for both plants and animals. At slightly higher concentrations it is toxic to aquatic life. The toxicity of copper and its compounds to aquatic life varies with the physical and chemical conditions of the water. Factors such as water hardness, alkalinity and pH influence copper toxicity. ACUTE (SHORT-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with a toxic chemical substance. Copper and its compounds have high acute toxicity to aquatic life. No data are available on the short-term effects of copper to plants, birds, or land animals. CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior. Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic chemical. Copper and its compounds have high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. No data are available on the long-term effects of copper to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Copper and its salts are highly soluble in water. Concentrations of 1,000 milligrams and more will mix with aliter of water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Copper is highly persistent in water, with a half-life greater than 200 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in living organisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals and humans. The concentration of copper found in fish tissues is expected to be considerably higher than the average concentration of copper in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.