Copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW Appearance: blue crystals. Warning! Harmful if swallowed. Causes digestive and respiratory tract irritation with possible burns. Causes eye and skin irritation and possible burns. Air sensitive. Hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the air). Severe marine pollutant. Possible sensitizer. Target Organs: Blood, kidneys, liver.

Potential health effects

Eye: Exposure to particulates or solution may cause conjunctivitis, ulceration, and corneal abnormalities. Causes eye irritation and possible burns. Skin: May cause skin sensitization, an allergic reaction, which becomes evident upon re-exposure to this material. Causes skin irritation and possible burns. May cause itching eczema. Ingestion: Harmful if swallowed. May cause severe gastrointestinal tract irritation with nausea, vomiting and possible burns. Ingestion of large amounts of copper salts may cause bloody stools and vomit, low blood pressure, jaundice and coma. Ingestion of copper compounds may produce systemic toxic effects to the kidney and liver and central nervous excitation followed by depression. Inhalation: May cause ulceration and perforation of the nasal septum if inhaled in excessive quantities. Causes respiratory tract irritation with possible burns. Chronic: Prolonged or repeated eye contact may cause conjunctivitis. May cause liver and kidney damage. May cause anemia and other blood cell abnormalities. Individuals with Wilson's disease are unable to metabolize copper. Thus, copper accumulates in various tissues and may result in liver, kidney, and brain damage. Laboratory experiments have resulted in mutagenic effects. May cause allergic skin reaction in some individuals. Chronic copper poisoning in man is recognized in the form of Wilson's disease.