Copper metal fumes

Synonyms/Trade Names Copper metal dusts, Copper metal fumes... 

Inhalation of dusts can cause metal fume fever (79,80), and ulceration or perforation of the nasal septum. Mild discomfort has been noted with workplace concentrations as low as 0.08 mg/m. The workplace standard (TLV) for copper dusts or mist is 1 mg/m and 0.2 mg/m for copper fume (81). 

Copper metal is comparatively inactive, but it reacts with concentrated nitric acid. The brown fumes are I l02(g), a reduction product of HN03. The copper is oxidized to Cuz+ ions, which impart their color to the solution. (The penny is an old one made of solid copper. Newer pennies have a coating of copper over a zinc core.)... 

METAL FUME FEVER Non-specific, Self-limiting illness resembling an attack of influenza caused mainly by exposure to fumes of zinc, copper, or magnesium and less frequently due to exposure to other metal fumes. Exposures occur from molten metals, e.g. in smelting, galvanizing, welding. 

In a ventilation hood, place a piece of copper metal in a clean, dry evaporating dish. Add enough 6M nitric acid to cover the metal. CAUTION Nitric acid can cause burns. The reaction of nitric acid with copper generates dangerous fumes. Use a ventilation hood. 

Toxieology. Copper fume causes irritation of the upper respiratory tract and metal fume fever (MFF), an influenza-like illness. 

Borak J, Cohen H, Hethmon TA Copper exposure and metal fume fever lack of causal relationship. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 61(6) 832-836, 2000... 

USE Manuf bronzes, brass other copper alloys, electrical conductors, ammunition, copper salts, works of art, Toxicity Copper itself probably has little or no toxicity although there are conflicting reports in the Literature. Soluble salts notably copper sulfate, are strong irritants to skin, mucous memhranes, Copper oxide fumes can cause metal fume fever. A relationship between copper and hemochromatosis has been reported, See E. Browning, Toxicity of Industrial Metals (Appleton-Century-Crofts, New York 2nd ed, 1969) pp 145-152. 

Inhaling copper(II) oxide fumes may result in a condition known as metal fume fever, with irritation of the throat, coughing, shortness of hreath, nausea, and fever. Excessive exposure may result in chronic lung disease. Ingesting large amounts of copper(II) oxide may cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, excessive salivation, and intense abdominal pain. The compound is also an eye irritant. 

A. Elemental metallic copper is poorly absorbed orally and is essentially nontoxic. However, Inhalation of copper dust, or metallic fumes created when welding or brazing copper alloys may cause chemical pneumonitis or a syndrome similar to metal fume fever (see p 259). Metallic copper dust in the eye (chalcosis) may lead to corneal opacification, uveitis, ocular necrosis, and blindness unless the dust is removed quickly. 

A. Inhalation of copper fumes or dusts initially produces a metallic taste and upper respiratory irritation (dry cough, sore throat, and eye irritation). Large exposures may cause severe cough, dyspnea, fever, leukocytosis, and pulmonary infiltrates (see also metal fume fever, p 259). 

Metal fume fever, a critical end point, was observed in workers who inhaled high levels of zinc oxide fumes or dust. The mechanism of metal fume fever has been reported to be an immune response to zinc oxide in the respiratory tract. The anemia observed in humans and animals after oral exposure to high levels of zinc could result from a zinc-induced copper deficiency. Excess levels of dietary zinc inhibit the transport of copper to the blood from either the intestinal lumen or the intestinal mucosal cell. 

Up to 30% of ingested zinc is absorbed from the small intestine, although absorption is controlled by a homeostatic mechanism. Despite its essentiality, too much zinc interferes with iron and copper metabolism which may result in copper deficiency. Excessive absorption can result in symptoms such as nausea, cramps and vomiting. Inhalation of zinc, zinc oxide and zinc chloride fumes by occupationally exposed workers causes pulmonary oedema and metal fume fever, with symptoms such as fever, chills, sweating and weakness occurring within 4-6 hours of exposure. Chronic inhalation of zinc compounds can result in liver damage. 

Metal fume fever Particulates of zinc, magnesium, copper and their oxides (other metals have also been known to produce metal fume fever)... 

Handling, Storage, and Precautions highly flammable liquid corrosive irritant should be stored cold, protected from light, and stabilized with copper metal. Handle in a fume hood. 

The fumes of many other metals are said to cause metal fume fever too, but this seems not to have been satisfactorily documented, except for magnesium and copper. 

Byssinosis is a bronchopathy due to inhalation of cotton dust, generally considered as an occupational asthma, although the immunological mechanism is still discussed. Respiratory syndrome induced by inhalation of nylon dust (Flock worker s lung) is considered different from HP (Kern et al. 2000). Metal fume fever following inhalation of metal fumes (zinc, copper) is an influenza-like reaction with poor respiratory symptoms different from HP. 

Copper is an essential element of mammalian metabolism. Copper metal has little or no serious toxicity. The most common adverse effect associated with copper is the acute inhalation of copper fume during refining or welding. 

Inhalation of freshly formed zinc oxide fume is the most common cause of metal fume fever, and cases involving magnesinm oxide, copper oxide, and other metallic oxides have also been reported (169). Exposnre to these oxides in aged powder form does not cause metal fume fever. Inhalation of mercury, nickel, and selenium can also cause fever. Nickel is a respiratory tract carcinogen in workers in the nickel-refining industry, especially when inhaled as a nickel carbonyl (168). 

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