HVC Copper Concentrate

2.1 Classification of the substance or mixture

Health Physical Environmental Acute Toxicity (Oral, Inhalation) – Does not meet criteria Does not meet criteria for Aquatic Toxicity – Skin Corrosion/Irritation – Does not meet criteria any Physical Hazard Short Term (Acute) Eye Damage/Eye Irritation – Does not meet criteria Category 2 Respiratory or Skin Sensitization – Does not meet criteria Mutagenicity – Does not meet criteria Carcinogenicity – Category 1 Reproductive Toxicity – Does not meet criteria Specific Target Organ Toxicity: Acute Exposure – Does not meet criteria Chronic Exposure –Category 1 LABEL:

Signal word

DANGER

Precautionary statements

DANGER! Causes damage to the respiratory system through prolonged Obtain special instructions before use. Do not handle or repeated inhalation of fine respirable dust. until all safety precautions have been read and May cause cancer through inhalation of dust. understood. Toxic to aquatic life. Do not breathe dust. Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product. Wear protective gloves/protective clothing. Wash thoroughly after handling. Avoid release to the environment. If exposed or concerned or you feel unwell: get medical advice/attention. Emergency Overview: A green to red-brown, finely ground material that is not flammable or combustible under normal conditions of transport and storage. However, when heated strongly in air for a sufficient time it will burn, releasing toxic and irritating sulphur dioxide gas as well as possible copper and iron oxide fumes. Contact with strong acids will generate flammable and highly toxic hydrogen sulphide gas. Inhalation or ingestion of copper concentrate dust or copper oxide fume may produce irritation of the upper airways. Possible cancer hazard due to the silica and arsenic content. Full face piece SCBA and protective clothing are required for fire emergency response personnel due to the potential for release of high concentrations of sulphur dioxide from burning concentrate. The metals content in this product has low direct bioavailability and poses little immediate ecological risk.

Potential health effects

Concentrate dust may be irritating to the nose, throat and respiratory tract. Inhalation or ingestion of copper may cause nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, and gastrointestinal irritation. Inhalation of high concentrations of copper oxide fume may cause irritation of the upper respiratory tract and may result in a form of metal fume fever, characterized by flu-like symptoms such as chills, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Crystalline silica is classified as a Group 1 Carcinogen by IARC and as an A2 Carcinogen by the ACGIH. Inorganic arsenic compounds are classified as Group 1 by IARC and as A1 carcinogens by the ACGIH (see Toxicological Information, Section 11).

Environmental effects

Copper concentrate is relatively insoluble in water, and therefore its constituent metals have low direct bioavailability. However, extended exposure of the concentrate in the aquatic and terrestrial environments can lead to the release of constituent metals in more bioavailable forms; these forms have the potential to cause adverse effects on biota (see Ecological Information, Section 12).