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Dust entry

Copper fume

Airborne copper fume generated during occupational heating, welding, or processing.

Airborne form

fume

The form describes what is suspended in air at the point of exposure. A material can produce more than one form, such as dust during handling and fume during heating.

Health effects

eye irritationupper respiratory irritationmetal fume feverchillsmuscle achenauseafeverdry throatcoughweaknessmetallic tasteskin and hair discoloration

Evidence

The current NIOSH Pocket Guide identifies copper fume as finely divided black particulate in air, including exposure during copper-alloy welding, and lists metal fume fever and upper-respiratory effects.

Source: html ↗ · saved source
Physical Description; Exposure Routes; Symptoms · 1
Physical Description Finely divided black particulate dispersed in air. [Note: Exposure may occur in copper & brass plants and during the welding of copper alloys.] Exposure Routes inhalation, skin and/or eye contact. Symptoms irritation eyes, upper respiratory system; metal fume fever.

NIOSH lists inhalation, skin, and eye contact routes for copper fume and reports eye and upper-respiratory irritation, metal fume fever, chills, muscle ache, nausea, fever, dry throat, cough, weakness, metallic or sweet taste, and skin or hair discoloration; target organs include eyes, skin, and respiratory system.

Source: html ↗ · saved source
Symptoms and target organs · 1
Exposure Routes: inhalation, skin and/or eye contact. Symptoms: irritation eyes, upper respiratory system; metal fume fever: chills, muscle ache, nausea, fever, dry throat, cough, lassitude; metallic or sweet taste; discoloration skin, hair. Target Organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system (increased risk with Wilson's disease).

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