Emergency Overview :

Copper cathode is a reddish metal that does not burn in bulk. Copper dust clouds will not explode readily in air. Due to its high melting point, molten copper metal is unlikely to be a risk in most fire situations. This metal is relatively non-toxic and poses little immediate hazard to personnel or the environment in an emergency situation.

Potential Health Effects

Control source of spillage if possible to do so safely. Clean up spilled material immediately, observing precautions in Section 8, Personal Protection. Molten metal should be allowed to cool and harden before cleanup. Once solidified wear gloves, pick up and return to process. Powder or dust should be cleaned up using methods which will minimize dust generation (e.g., vacuum solids, dampen material and shovel or wet sweep). Return uncontaminated spilled material to the process if possible. Place contaminated material in suitable labeled containers for later recovery in view of the commercial value of copper. Treat or dispose of all waste material per local, regional, and/or national requirements.

Persons responding to an accidental spill should wear protective coveralls and gloves and avoid contact with the corners of the cathode and its peripheral ridge. Close-fitting safety goggles may be necessary in some circumstances to prevent eye contact with dust. Where molten metal is involved, wear heat-resistant gloves and suitable clothing for protection from hot-metal splash as well as a respirator to prevent inhalation of copper fumes.

Environmental Precaution

Copper compounds can pose a significant threat to aquatic life forms. However, in metal form it is not readily bio-available in the environment. Nevertheless, contamination of water and soil should be prevented.

Use forklift to lift the material and wear gloves to avoid abrasion on skin.

Store copper in a dry, covered area. Copper cathodes suspected of containing moisture should be thoroughly dried before being added to a molten bath. Cathodes may contain cavities that collect moisture. Entrained moisture will expand explosively when immersed in a molten bath and potentially spatter molten metal out of the bath.

Always practice good personal hygiene. Refrain from eating, drinking, or smoking in work areas. Thoroughly wash hands before eating, drinking, or smoking in appropriate, designated areas.

Stability

Copper is stable and not considered reactive under normal temperatures and pressures

Condition to Avoid

Shock sensitive compounds are formed with acetylenic compounds, ethylene oxide or azide compounds. Copper in finely-divided powder or granular form reacts with strong oxidants like chlorates, bromates, iodates and ammonium nitrate causing a potential explosion hazard.

Copper is incompatible with nitric acid, acetylene, chlorine fluorine, chlorine trifluoride, and peroxides.

High temperature operations such as oxy-acetylene cutting, electric arc welding, arc-air gouging or overheating a molten metal bath may generate fumes. The fumes will contain copper oxides, which, on inhalation in sufficient quantity, can produce metal fume fever.

Hazardous Polymerization

Hazardous polymerization or runaway reactions will not occur.

Copper is an essential element, but can become toxic when inhaled or ingested in large doses. Most reports of acute toxicity are from suicidal attempts involving ingestion of copper sulphate. Individuals with a rare disorder called “Wilson’s Disease” (estimated prevalence 0.003% of the population) are predisposed to accumulate copper and should not be occupationally exposed. However, in the form in which this product is sold it is relatively non-toxic. The major route of exposure would be through the generation and inhalation of copper oxide fume.

Copper metal is not irritating to skin other than by direct abrasive action of metal particles on skin tissue.

Contact with dust or fume may cause local irritation. Embedded copper particles in the eye result in a brownish or green-brown discoloration of the cornea, lens and iris (chalcosis) which may progress to serious ocular complications.

An intense, short-term exposure to fumes from cutting or welding, etc. could result in the condition called metal fume fever. The symptoms of metal fume fever generally occur within 3 to 10 hours. They may include immediate dryness and irritation of the throat, metallic taste, tightness of the chest, and coughing that may later be followed by flu-like symptoms of fever, malaise, perspiration, frontal headache, muscle cramps, low back pain, occasionally blurred vision, nausea, and vomiting. Severe cases could cause pulmonary congestion and edema as well as acute encephalopathy with possible seizures, coma, and death. However, short term exposures of this magnitude are unlikely in industry today. Those experiencing a single acute episode of metal fume fever generally recover slowly but without apparent residual effects. Copper dust may be irritating to the nasal passages and the throat with a sweetish, metallic taste and excessive salivation.

Individuals reported to have ingested large quantities of copper salts have reported gastrointestinal effects including vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, malaise, anorexia, abdominal pain and a metallic taste in the mouth. Effects on the kidneys and liver, and even death have also been reported in severe cases of copper poisoning. However, copper is a strong emetic and spontaneous vomiting following ingestion usually limits uptake of copper.

Prolonged exposure to copper dust or fume can cause irritation to the eye and skin. A green discoloration of the skin has been reported in some copper workers similar to that sometimes experienced from copper jewelry. This green discoloration may occasionally also be seen in hair (particularly note able in blonde hair), nails and teeth. A few instances of allergic contact dermatitis have been reported. Copper is not listed as a human carcinogen by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Toxicology Program (NTP), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) or the European Union (EU).

Copper metal is insoluble in water and generally has essentially no direct bioavailability. However, its processing or extended exposure in the aquatic and terrestrial environments can lead to the release of copper in bio available forms. These can cause detrimental environmental effects. The mobility of copper in soluble forms is media dependent. These can bind with inorganic and organic ligands and particulates, reducing mobility and bioavailability in soil and water. Bioavailability is also controlled by other factors such as pH and hardness in the aquatic environment.

No special shipping or transportation requirements in cathode form.