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Copper Sulfate
(Basic, anhydrous and pentahydrate)

General Information

• Chemical Class: Inorganic, Fungicide/Antimicrobial
• Use: Copper compounds are used for food/feed crops, including orchard, row, field, and aquatic crops, flowering/non-flowering plants and trees. Also as a wood preservative, mildewcide, water treatment, bactericide, and as an anti-foulant in many products including paint, glue, building materials and construction materials.
• Alternatives: Agriculture, Lawns/broadleaf plants
• Beyond Pesticides rating: Toxic

Health Effects

• EPA Acute Toxicity Class: II (moderately toxic) - IV (practically non-toxic)
• Cancer: Not documented
• Endocrine Disruption: Not documented
• Reproductive Effects: Yes (27)
• Neurotoxicity: Some evidence*
• Kidney/ Liver Damage: Yes (27)
• Sensitizer/ Irritant: Yes (8)
• Birth/ Developmental Defects: Not documented

Environmental Effects

• Detected in Groundwater: Not documented
• Detected in Streams: Not documented
• Potential Leacher: Not documented
• Toxic to Birds: Moderately toxic (27)(8)
• Toxic to Fish/ Aquatic Organisms: Yes (27)
• Toxic to Bees: Not documented
• Toxic to Mammals: Moderately toxic (8) (27)
• Long-Range Transport: Not documented

Additional Information

• Regulatory Information:
  • EPA Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for Coppers signed (7/2006)
  • Registration Review- pending
• Supporting information:
  • Extoxnet Factsheet (Extension Toxicology Network)
  • PAN Pesticides Database: (Pesticide Action Network)
• Key Studies:
  • *Neurotoxic Effects of Copper Salts in Rats. Plech, A. , Klimkiewicz T. and Jakrzewska H. 2000. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies
  • *Copper neurotoxicity is dependent on dopamine-mediated copper uptake and one-electron reduction of aminochrome in a rat substantia nigra neuronal cell line. Paris, I et al. 2001. J Neurochem.