Material Safety Data Sheet: Basic Cupric Carbonate

Identification

Product Name: Basic Cupric Carbonate
Chemical Name: Copper(II) Carbonate, Basic
CAS Number: 12069-69-1
Synonyms: Cupric Carbonate, Copper Hydroxycarbonate, Malachite, Copper(II) carbonate hydroxide
Recommended Use: Used in agriculture, pigments, ceramics, chemical manufacturing
Supplier: Refer to regulatory packaging or certificate
Emergency Phone Number: Follow the number listed on product shipment

Hazard Identification

Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, inhalation), Eye irritation, Environmental hazard (aquatic acute/chronic toxicity)
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, Inhalation may cause respiratory irritation, Causes eye and skin irritation, Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Pictograms: Exclamation mark, Environment
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Keep container tightly closed. Avoid release to the environment.

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Basic Cupric Carbonate
CAS Number: 12069-69-1
EC Number: 235-113-6
Concentration: 97–100%
Impurities: Trace amounts of copper oxide or minor carbonate forms

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move to fresh air. If breathing is difficult, seek medical attention. Provide artificial respiration if needed.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash skin thoroughly with plenty of water and mild soap for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention if irritation persists.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, lifting eyelids occasionally. Remove contact lenses if present. Continue to rinse and seek medical help if discomfort occurs.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel. Give water to drink. Get medical attention right away.
Most Important Symptoms and Effects: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, eye and skin redness or irritation, coughing, difficulty breathing
Immediate Medical Attention/Special Treatment Needed: Treat symptomatically with supportive care

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray or fog.
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Direct water jet may scatter powder.
Specific Hazards: Not flammable. Decomposition releases copper oxide fumes and carbon dioxide at high temperatures.
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing.
Special Procedures: Avoid contamination of runoff into water supplies. Keep dust to a minimum.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear suitable protective equipment including respiratory protection, gloves, goggles, and coveralls. Prevent dust formation.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Avoid release to drains, water courses, or soil.
Methods for Containment and Clean-Up: Collect spill by sweeping or vacuuming without generating dust, place in labeled containers for recycling or disposal. Wash area with water while preventing run-off from entering drains. Dispose of material following local regulations.

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling: Handle in well-ventilated place. Wear protective equipment, avoid contact with skin and eyes, prevent dust formation. Do not eat, drink, or smoke during use.
Storage Conditions: Store tightly closed in dry, cool, well-ventilated area away from incompatible substances such as acids and ammonium compounds. Keep away from food, feed, and drinking water.
Incompatibilities: Strong acids, ammonia, ammonium salts, strong oxidizers.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Use process enclosures, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering controls to keep airborne levels below recommended exposure limits.
Respiratory Protection: Wear approved particulate respirators if airborne concentrations are above permitted exposure levels.
Eye Protection: Safety goggles or face shield
Skin Protection: Protective gloves, impervious clothing
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands before breaks and at end of workday, avoid touching face, remove contaminated clothing immediately after use.
Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL for copper dust and mists: 1 mg/m³ (TWA), ACGIH TLV: 1 mg/m³ (TWA), NIOSH REL: 1 mg/m³ (TWA)

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Green or blue-green powder
Odor: Odorless
Odor Threshold: Not applicable
pH: Slightly basic in water suspension
Melting/Freezing Point: Decomposes before melting, above 200°C
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Flash Point: Not flammable
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Flammability: Non-combustible
Vapor Pressure: Negligible
Vapor Density: Not applicable
Relative Density: 3.9 – 4.0 (water = 1)
Solubility: Very slightly soluble in water, soluble in acids and ammonia
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not available
Auto-ignition Temperature: Not applicable
Decomposition Temperature: >200°C
Viscosity: Not applicable

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal and recommended storage conditions
Hazardous Reactions: Reacts with acids to liberate carbon dioxide and copper salts. Reacts with ammonium compounds to produce explosive compounds.
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, exposure to acids, moisture
Incompatible Materials: Acids, ammonium salts, strong oxidizers
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Copper oxide fumes, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide under fire conditions

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat) 1350 mg/kg. May be harmful if swallowed, may cause gastrointestinal symptoms.
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes skin irritation.
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes severe eye irritation.
Respiratory Sensitization: Inhalation of dust can cause irritation of the nose, throat, and lungs.
Chronic Effects: Long-term exposure can cause liver and kidney effects, anemia, and irritation
Carcinogenicity: Not classified by IARC, NTP, OSHA
Reproductive Toxicity: No evidence of reproductive toxicity
Other Relevant Effects: Copper compounds may cause "metal fume fever" if inhaled as fumes

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic life, fish, and invertebrates. LC50 (fish) <1 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Not readily biodegradable; copper persists in the environment
Bioaccumulative Potential: Copper accumulates in soil and aquatic organisms
Mobility in Soil: Low mobility in solid form; mobile as dissolved ions
Other Information: Avoid release to environment. Report large spills to local authorities, as accumulation can disrupt aquatic and soil ecology.

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose of contaminated product and materials in compliance with local, regional, and federal environmental regulations
Contaminated Packaging: Containers should be cleaned and recycled or disposed as hazardous waste
Special Precautions: Do not reuse container for any other purpose; avoid dispersal of dust in air, and minimize environmental contamination.
RCRA Waste Number: U075 (for copper compounds)

Transport Information

UN Number: 3077
UN Proper Shipping Name: Environmentally hazardous substance, solid, n.o.s. (contains copper compound)
Transport Hazard Class: 9 (Miscellaneous hazardous material)
Packing Group: III
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Special Transport Precautions: Avoid generating dust during transport. Ensure containers are labeled and sealed properly.

Regulatory Information

OSHA: Hazardous under OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
SARA 313: Copper compounds subject to reporting requirements
TSCA: Listed on U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory
CERCLA: Copper compounds have a reportable quantity (RQ) of 5,000 lbs.
California Prop 65: Not listed
EU Regulations: Classified as hazardous under Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 (CLP/GHS), requires safety assessment before use in consumer products.
Other International Regulations: Subject to chemical inventory regulations in many countries, and transport restrictions for marine pollution.