E X T O X N E T
Extension Toxicology Network
A Pesticide Information Project of Cooperative Extension
Offices of Cornell University, Michigan State University, Oregon State
University, and University of California at Davis. Major support and funding was
provided by the USDA/Extension Service/National Agricultural Pesticide Impact
Assessment Program.
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Pesticide
Information
Profile |
Copper Sulfate
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TRADE OR OTHER NAMES
Basic copper sulfate: BSC Copper Fungicide; CP
Basic Sulfate; Tri- Basic Copper Sulfate. Pentahydrate form: bluestone, blue
vitriol, Salzburg vitriol, Roman vitriol, and blue copperas (17).
Bordeaux Mixture is a combination of hydrated lime and copper sulfate (21).
REGULATORY STATUS
Copper sulfate is classified as a general use material
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The warning signal "DANGER"
must appear on the labels of all copper sulfate end-products containing 99%
active ingredient in crystalline form.
INTRODUCTION
Copper sulfate is a fungicide used to control bacterial and
fungal diseases of fruit, vegetable, nut and field crops. Some of the diseases
that are controlled by this fungicide include mildew, leaf spots, blights and
apple scab. It is used in combination with lime and water as a protective
fungicide, referred to as Bordeaux mixture, for leaf application and seed
treatment. It is also used as an algaecide, an herbicide in irrigation and
municipal water treatment systems, and as a molluscicide, a material used to
repel and kill slugs and snails. Copper sulfate is a naturally-occurring
inorganic salt and copper is an essential trace element in plant and animal
nutrition (5,
6,
7,
13,
16).
It is available in the following formulations: dusts, wettable powders, and
fluid concentrates (17).
TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS
ACUTE TOXICITY
Copper is one of 26 essential trace elements occurring
naturally in plant and animal tissue. The usual routes by which humans receive
toxic exposure to copper sulfate are through skin or eye contact, as well as by
inhalation of powders and dusts (16).
Copper sulfate is a strong irritant (20).
Copper sulfate is only moderately toxic upon acute oral exposure (17).
There have been reports of human suicide resulting from the ingestion of gram
quantities of this material (10).
The lowest dose of copper sulfate that has been toxic when ingested by humans is
11 mg/kg (8).
Ingestion of copper sulfate is often not toxic because vomiting is automatically
triggered by its irritating effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms are
severe, however, if copper sulfate is retained in the stomach, as in the
unconscious victim. Some of the signs of poisoning which occurred after 1-12
grams of copper sulfate was swallowed include a metallic taste in the mouth,
burning pain in the chest and abdomen, intense nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
headache, sweating, shock, discontinued urination leading to yellowing of the
skin. Injury to the brain, liver, kidneys and stomach and intestinal linings may
also occur in copper sulfate poisoning (2).
Copper sulfate can be corrosive to the skin and eyes. It is readily absorbed
through the skin and can produce a burning pain, along with the same severe
symptoms of poisoning from ingestion. Skin contact may result in itching or
eczema (13).
It is considered a skin sensitizer and can cause allergic reactions in some
individuals (16).
Eye contact with this material can cause: conjunctivitis, inflammation of the
eyelid lining, excess fluid buildup in the eyelid; cornea tissue deterioration
due to breaks, or ulceration, in the eye's mucous membrane; and clouding of the
cornea (2).
The amount of copper sulfate that is lethal to one-half (50%) of experimental
animals fed the material is referred to as its acute oral lethal dose fifty, or
LD50. The LD50 for copper sulfate is 30 mg/kg in rats. Ingestion by animals of
three ounces of a 1% solution of copper sulfate will produce extreme
inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, with symptoms of abdominal pain,
vomiting, and diarrhea. When copper sulfate is given intravenously, or injected
into the vein, as little as 2 mg/kg copper sulfate is lethal to guinea pigs; and
4 mg/kg is lethal to rabbits (13).
CHRONIC EFFECTS
Vineyard sprayers experienced liver disease after 3 to
15 years of exposure to copper sulfate solution in Bordeaux mixture (13).
Long-term effects are more likely in individuals with Wilson's disease, a
condition which causes excessive absorption and storage of copper (11).
Chronic exposure to low levels of copper can lead to anemia (13).
The biological or chemical manner by which excessive doses of copper sulfate
work is not well understood (6).
The growth of rats was retarded when 25 mg/kg of copper sulfate was included
in their diets. 200 mg/kg caused starvation and death (13).
Sheep with access to salt licks that contained five to nine percent copper
sulfate showed signs of absence of appetite (anorexia), anemia, and degenerative
changes, followed by death within one or two days of exposure (2).
This material caused a significant increase in the death rates in mice that were
exposed to an air level equivalent to human inhalation exposures (13).
The EPA limit for copper sulfate in drinking water is 1 ppm (3).
This limit has been set to prevent a disagreeable taste from copper in drinking
water, as well as to provide adequate protection from toxicity (10).
Reproductive Effects
Developing embryos were resorbed in pregnant
hamsters given copper salts intravenously on the eighth day of gestation.
Testicular atrophy increased in birds as they were fed larger amounts of copper
sulfate. Sperm production was also interrupted to varying degrees (13).
Reproduction and fertility was affected in pregnant rats given this material on
the third day of pregnancy (8).
EPA does not require data on the reproductive effects of copper sulfate in
mammals (16).
Teratogenic Effects
Heart disease occurred in the surviving offspring of
pregnant hamsters given intravenous copper salts on the eighth day of gestation
(13).
EPA does not require data on the teratogenic effects of copper sulfate (16).
Mutagenic Effects
At 400 and 1,000 ppm, copper sulfate caused mutations
in two types of microorganisms (8).
Data on the potential mutagenic effects of this material is not required by the
EPA.
Carcinogenic Effects
Ten mg/kg of copper sulfate caused endocrine tumors
in chickens given the material parenterally, that is, outside of the
gastrointestinal tract through an intravenous or intramuscular injection (8).
EPA does not require this data for copper sulfate (16).
Organ Toxicity
Examinations of copper sulfate-poisoned animals showed
signs of acute toxicity in the spleen, liver and kidneys (13).
Injury may also occur to the brain, liver, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract in
response to overexposure to this material (2).
Fate in Humans and Animals
Absorption of copper sulfate into the blood
occurs primarily under the acidic conditions of the stomach; the mucous membrane
lining of the intestines acts to some extent as a barrier to absorption of
ingested copper (13).
After ingestion, more than 99% of copper is excreted in the feces. Copper is an
essential trace element that is strongly bioaccumulated (3,
13).
It is stored primarily in the liver, brain, heart, kidney and muscles. About
one-third of all the copper in the body is contained in the liver and brain.
Another third is contained in the muscles. The remaining third is dispersed in
other tissues.
ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Effects on Birds
Copper sulfate poses less of a threat to birds than to
other animals. The lowest lethal dose (LDLo) for this material in pigeons and
ducks is 1,000 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg, respectively (13).
The oral LD50 for Bordeaux mixture in young mallards is 2,000 mg/kg (14).
Effects on Aquatic Organisms
Copper sulfate is very toxic to fish. Its
toxicity to fish varies with the species and the physical and chemical
characteristics of the water (12).
Even at recommended rates of application, this material may be poisonous to
trout and other fish, especially in soft or acid waters. Its toxicity to fish
generally decreases as water hardness increases. Fish eggs are more resistant
than young fish fry to the toxic effects of copper sulfate (3).
Very small amounts of this material can have damaging effects on fish. Permits
are being required in some situations for application of copper sulfate to water
bodies. Further field studies have been required by the EPA (16).
Direct application of copper sulfate to water may cause a significant decrease
in populations of aquatic invertebrates, plants and fish (17).
Effects on Other Animals (Nontarget Species)
Copper sulfate is toxic to aquatic invertebrates, such as crab, shrimp and
oysters. Based on data on the potential hazards posed by this material to the
slackwater darter, freshwater mussels, and Solano grass, and in an effort to
minimize exposure of endangered species to this material, applicators in some
counties are required to consult EPA endangered species bulletins before
applying copper sulfate (16).
It is a Federal violation to use any pesticide in a manner that results in the
death of an endangered species or adverse changes to their natural habitat (17).
Bees are endangered by strong, water-based copper compounds, such as a Bordeaux
mixture of copper sulphate, lime and water (5).
Copper sulfate and similar fungicides have been poisonous to sheep and chickens
on farms at normal application rates. Most animal life in soil, including large
earthworms, have been eliminated by the extensive use of copper-containing
fungicides in orchards (12).
Frogs died after being given intravenous doses of 25 mg/kg of copper sulfate.
The lethal concentration fifty, or LC50, is that concentration of a chemical in
air or water that kills half of the experimental animals exposed to it for a set
time period. The 96-hour LC50 of copper sulfate to pond snails is 0.39 mg/l, at
20 degrees C. Higher concentrations of the material caused some behavioral
changes, such as secretion of mucous, and discharge of eggs and embryos (13).
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
Copper is strongly bioaccumulated. Biological
activity is a major factor in determining the occurrence and distribution of
copper in the ecosystem (13).
Breakdown of Chemical in Soil and Groundwater
Copper sulfate is: (a)
partly washed down to lower soil levels by water percolating through the ground,
called groundwater; (b) partly bound to soil components; and (c) partly changed
into different metabolites, or breakdown products (5).
Copper is considered to be among the more mobile of the heavy metals in surface
environments. Copper is bound, or adsorbed, to organic materials, and to clay
and mineral surfaces. The degree of copper adsorption to soils depends on the
level of acidity or alkalinity of the soil. The distance that it can travel in
soil is limited by its strong adsorption to many types of surfaces (13).
All applied copper will become a part of the soil copper content (19).
Although copper sulfate is highly water soluble-that is, it dissolves very
easily in water-the copper ions are strongly adsorbed or precipitated to soil
particles when it is applied to soil (13).
The leaching potential of this material is low in all but sandy soils.
When applied to irrigation water, copper sulfate does not accumulate in the
surrounding soils. 60% of applied copper was deposited in the sediments at the
bottom of the irrigation ditch, where it became adsorbed to clay, mineral and
organic particles. Copper compounds, or precipitates, also settle out of
solution, in a process called precipitation. This occurs less often than
adsorption. Usually, precipitates are biologically inactive, meaning that they
do not undergo further biological changes (3).
Breakdown of Chemical in Water
Due to its high water solubility,
excessive amounts of copper sulfate should be kept out of lakes, streams and
ponds (1).
Water can be contaminated by inappropriate cleaning of application equipment, or
disposal of waste associated with this material (16).
High concentrations of this type of copper are toxic to aquatic organisms and
may cause a significant decrease in populations of aquatic invertebrates,
plants, and fish (13,
16).
A state Fish and Game Agency should be consulted before copper sulfate
application to public waters, as permits may be required for such treatment (17).
Copper sulfate products should not be used to treat more than half of a lake
or pond at one time, in order to avoid depletion of oxygen caused by decaying
vegetation. One to two weeks should be allowed between copper sulfate treatments
to allow water oxygen levels to recover (16).
The effectiveness of copper sulfate decreases as water hardness increases. As
a naturally-occurring substance, copper can persist indefinitely. No evidence
has been found to show that this material gets removed from water through
volatilization (13).
Breakdown of Chemical in Vegetation
One of the limiting factors in the
use of copper compounds is their serious potential for phytotoxicity, or
poisonous activity in plants (17).
Copper sulfate can kill plants by disrupting photosynthesis. 200 ppm of copper
was found in grass five months after it was sprayed with copper sulfate to
control liver fluke (13).
Blue-green algae in some copper sulfate-treated Minnesota lakes appeared to
become increasingly resistant to the algaecide after 26 years of use (12).
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND GUIDELINES
Boots, protective gloves, and goggles
should be worn by anyone handling this material (13,
17).
Skin should be washed immediately if contaminated, and work clothing should be
changed daily if it is reasonably likely that it is contaminated with copper
sulfate.
Copper sulfate is blue and odorless. It gives off moisture when exposed to
air (22).
Copper sulfate is classified for shipping purposes as a hazardous substance or
hazardous waste. It may pose unreasonable risk to health, safety, or property,
when transported (13).
Copper sulfate is highly corrosive to plain steel, iron and galvanized pipes.
All metal in contact with solutions of this material should be 304 stainless
steel, monel or plastic (6).
It should not be stored in metal containers. Copper sulfate is also incompatible
with acetylene gas and with magnesium metal (13).
Containers of this material should be kept tightly sealed (20).
It is indefinitely stable when kept dry and is stable to heat, cold, or light
(19).
However, there is slight decomposition of copper sulfate at temperatures above
200 degrees C. Above 400 degrees C, it decomposes, giving off sulfur dioxide gas
(13).
Burning copper sulfate may produce irritating or poisonous gases, and
pollution may be caused by runoff from fire control or dilution water (15).
Occupational and Exposure Limits:
| TWA: |
1.0 mg/m3 for all copper dusts or mists (1). |
Physical Properties:
| CAS#: |
7758-98-7 |
| H20 solubility: |
anhydrous form: 14.3 g/100 cc at 0 degrees C; 75.4 g/100 cc
at 100 degrees C; copper sulfate pentahydrate:31.6 g/100 cc at 0 degrees
C; 203.3 g/100 cc at 100 degrees C (17);
23.05 g/100 g at 25 degrees C; 14.8 g/100 g at 0 degrees C (5);
75.4 g/100 cc at 100 degrees C (13);
143,000 ppm (18) |
| Solubility in other solvents: |
1.04 g/100 cc at 18 degrees C in methanol (13);
Insoluble in ethanol and most organic solvents (6) |
| Melting point: |
Above 100 degrees C, copper sulfate loses water from
crystallization with formation of the monohydrate; above 200 degrees C it
loses all water of crystallization (5) |
| Vapor pressure: |
0 (5) |
| Koc: |
Copper is strongly adsorbed by clay and humus. It is
precipitated on clay particles as insoluble copper hydroxides, phosphates,
or carbonates (19) |
| Chemical Class/Use: |
Inorganic fungicide, algaecide, herbicide,
molluscicide |
BASIC MANUFACTURER
CP Chemical Inc.
P.O. Box 1979
Sumter, SC
29151
Telephone: 803-481-8528
Review by Manufacturer:
Comments solicited: October, 1991
Comments
received: December, 1993
REFERENCES
Meister, R.T. (ed.). 1992. Farm Chemicals Handbook '92. Meister
Publishing Company, Willoughby, OH.
Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton, eds. 1981. Patty's industrial
hygiene and toxicology. Third edition. Vol. 2: Toxicology. NY: John Wiley and
Sons.
Gangstad, E. O. 1986. Freshwater vegetation management. Fresno, CA:
Thomson Publications.
Gosselin, R. E., et al. 1984. Clinical toxicology of commercial
products. Fifth edition. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins.
Hartley, D. and H. Kidd, eds. 1983. The agrochemicals handbook.
Nottingham, England: Royal Society of Chemistry.
Hayes, W. J. 1982. Pesticides studied in man. Baltimore, MD: Williams
and Wilkins.
McEwen, F. L. and G. R. Stephenson. 1979. The use and significance of
pesticides in the environment. NY: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 1981-
1986. Registry of toxic effects of chemical substances (RTECS). Cincinati, OH:
NIOSH.
_____. 1981. Pocket guide to chemical hazards. DHEW (NIOSH).
Publication no. 78-210.
National Research Council, Safe Drinking Water Committee. 1977.
Drinking water and health. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences.
New York State Department of Health. 1984. Chemical fact sheet: Copper
sulfate. Bureau of Toxic Substances Management. Albany, NY.
Pimentel, D. 1971 (June). Ecological effects of pesticides on
nontarget species. Executive Office of the President's Office of Science and
Technology. Washington, DC: U. S. Government Printing Office.
TOXNET. 1975-1986. National library of medicine's toxicology data
network. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB). Public Health Service.
National Institute of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Bethesda, MD: NLM.
Tucker, R. and D. G. Crabtree. 1970. Handbook of toxicity of
pesticides to wildlife. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fish and Wildlife
Service. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. Washington, DC: U.S.
Government Printing Office.
U. S. Department of Transportation. 1983. 1984 emergency response
guidebook. Guidebook for hazardous materials incidents. G-31. Washington, DC:
D.O.T.
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1986 Guidance for
reregistration of pesticide products containing copper sulfate. Fact sheet no
100. Office of Pesticide Programs. Washington, DC.
_____. 1986. Guidance for reregistration of pesticide products
containing copper sulfate. Fact sheet no 100. Office of Pesticide Programs.
Washington, DC.
Weast, R. C. 1969. Chemical rubber company handbook of chemistry and
physics. Cleveland, OH: CRC Press, Inc.
Weed Science Society of America. 1983. Herbicide handbook. Fifth
edition. Champaign, IL: WSSA, Herbicide Handbook Committee.
Windholz, M., ed. 1983. The Merck Index. Tenth edition. Rahway, NJ:
Merck and Company.
Worthing, C. R., ed. 1983. The pesticide manual: A world compendium.
Croydon, England: The British Crop Protection Council.
Review by CP Chemicals, Inc. December 27, 1993.
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