Material Safety Data Sheet for Basic Copper Chloride

Identification

Product Name: Basic Copper Chloride
Chemical Formula: CuCl₂·2Cu(OH)₂
Other Names: Copper(II) chloride basic, Dicopper chloride trihydroxide
CAS Number: 1332-65-6
Recommended Use: Agricultural micronutrient, animal feed additive, pigment, catalyst, fungicide
Supplier Contact: Full address and emergency telephone details from the company providing the product
Emergency Phone Number: Chemtrec or regional poison control specifics

Hazard Identification

Hazard Classification: Acute Toxicity Oral (Category 4), Skin Irritation (Category 2), Eye Irritation (Category 2A), Aquatic Acute (Category 1)
Label Elements: Exclamation mark and environment hazard pictograms
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed. Causes skin and serious eye irritation. Very toxic to aquatic life.
Precautionary Statements: Avoid releases to environment. Do not eat, drink, or smoke when using. Wear protective gloves, clothing, and eye protection. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. If ingested: Call poison center if you feel unwell. In case of skin contact: Wash with soap and water. If in eyes: Rinse cautiously with water several minutes.

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Basic Copper Chloride
Percentage: 97-99%
CAS Number: 1332-65-6
Other Components: Copper(II) chloride trace, moisture, and minor impurities common to manufacturing
Molecular Weight: Approx. 427.11 g/mol

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Seek medical attention if symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, or coughing persist.
Skin Contact: Immediately wash skin with plenty of soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing and launder before reuse.
Eye Contact: Rinse thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes, lifting eyelids. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Seek immediate medical advice. Treat symptomatically.
Most Important Symptoms: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, blue-green stains, skin irritation, eye discomfort
Note to Physicians: Treat as copper poisoning. Monitor for gastrointestinal symptoms and kidney or liver dysfunction.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or foam. Do not use water jets, as this may spread the material.
Hazardous Combustion Products: May generate toxic gases such as hydrogen chloride, copper oxides during fire.
Protective Equipment: Firefighters wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective suit.
Specific Hazards: Product does not burn itself but may emit toxic fumes if involved in fire.
Fire Fighting Instructions: Keep containers cool with water spray. Prevent fire-fighting runoff from entering waterways or sewers.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Keep unprotected people away. Wear recommended PPE including gloves, goggles, and mask.
Spill Cleanup: Sweep up and collect into suitable containers for disposal. Avoid dry sweeping to reduce dust. Wet down if needed to suppress dust.
Environmental Precautions: Avoid discharge into drains, watercourses, or soil. Notify environmental authorities if significant spill enters environment.
Containment: Use barriers to prevent spreading. Clean area thoroughly to avoid residue.

Handling and Storage

Handling: Handle in well-ventilated area. Use tools and equipment that minimize dust generation. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. Do not eat, drink, or smoke during use.
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed original containers. Keep in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from incompatible materials such as acids, strong oxidizers, and reducing agents. Keep out of reach of children.
Special Requirements: Inspect containers regularly for leaks or degradation.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL for copper dust and mists: 1 mg/m³ (as Cu). ACGIH TLV: 1 mg/m³ (dust and mist).
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation to reduce airborne exposure. Provide eyewash stations and emergency showers near handling area.
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), protective clothing, and a NIOSH-approved dust respirator if airborne dust is expected.
Hygiene Measures: Wash thoroughly after work and before eating. Remove contaminated clothing.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Green crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless
pH (suspension): Approx. 5.0-7.0
Melting Point/Freezing Point: Decomposes before melting
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Solubility: Practically insoluble in water; slightly soluble in acids
Specific Gravity: About 3.8
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Data not available
Flash Point: Non-flammable
Autoignition Temperature: Not self-igniting

Stability and Reactivity

Reactivity: Not highly reactive under normal use and storage
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended handling and storage
Incompatible Materials: Acids (liberates toxic HCl gas), strong oxidizers, strong reducing agents
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride, copper oxides
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, moisture, contact with acids

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Oral LD₅₀ (rat): 700-1000 mg/kg. Harmful if swallowed.
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes moderate skin irritation based on test data and structure.
Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes serious eye irritation.
Chronic Effects: Long-term exposure can create adverse effects on liver and kidneys.
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as carcinogen by IARC, NTP, OSHA.
Other Effects: May cause methemoglobinemia or copper toxicity on excessive intake.
Sensitization: Not expected, but cases of dermatitis have occurred.

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Extremely toxic to aquatic organisms, including fish and invertebrates. LC₅₀ for fish (96h): <1 mg/L.
Persistence and Degradability: Product is inorganic and will not biodegrade. Copper can persist in soils and sediments, causing accumulation.
Bioaccumulative Potential: Copper compounds bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms, which can disrupt food webs.
Mobility in Soil: Binds to soil particles, low mobility if not in acid conditions.
Other Information: Avoid release into the environment due to high toxicity and persistence.

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose of in accordance with local, regional, and national environmental regulations. Collect and send waste to licensed hazardous waste disposal facility.
Container Disposal: Rinse empty containers thoroughly. Avoid re-use for any purpose that could lead to human or animal exposure. Dispose as hazardous waste.
Special Precautions: Do not allow to enter drains, surface water, or soils.

Transport Information

UN Number: UN 3077
Proper Shipping Name: Environmentally Hazardous Substance, Solid, N.O.S. (Contains Basic Copper Chloride)
Transport Hazard Class: 9 (Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles)
Packing Group: III
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Special Precautions: Transport in compliance with local and international regulations. Clearly label packages as hazardous to the environment.

Regulatory Information

OSHA Status: Hazardous Chemical
SARA Title III: Not subject to Section 302, but reportable under Sections 311/312 (immediate acute health hazard, environmental hazard).
TSCA Inventory: Listed
EU Regulation: Classified as hazardous under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP).
Canada WHMIS: D2B (Toxic Material), E (Corrosive Material)
Other International Regulations: Check applicable country-specific regulations for copper compounds.