Copper II Oxide

This chemical standard operating procedure (SOP) and the associated Safety Data Sheet (SDS) are for our safety. Read and understand both documents. If this is a paper copy, check for updated versions on the IsoLab website.

Process

Copper(II) oxide (CuO) is used as part of combustion of rock powders with very low nitrogen content.

Hazards - SDS

Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.

Protection - SDS

Engineering Controls

Use copper II oxide in a fume hood. Ensure the fume hood has proper air flow by checking the flow rate on the control panel and / or using a smoke match or wipe to visualize flow.

PHS - Avoid release to the environment.

Administrative Controls

PHS - No specific administrative controls required.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PHS - Wear a laboratory coat, eye protection, and nitrile gloves.

Handling - SDS

Keep container tightly closed when not in use. Avoid dust formation.

PHS - Decontamination - Do not allow down drain or release into environment.

Storage - SDS

Copper II oxide is stored on the north wall of 303B in a desiccator. Use MyChem, the UW EH&S chemical inventory database, for more lab suite storage information.

Spills - SDS

Prevent from entering drain or otherwise being released into environment.

If spill is contained inside fume hood, close sash and prepare for cleanup. Don laboratory coat, eye protection, and nitrile gloves. Avoid dust formation. Do not allow down the drain.

If spill is large or outside fume hood, don a respirator, laboratory coat, eye protection, and nitrile gloves. Avoid dust formation. Do not allow down the drain.

If you need assistance or advice, use the IsoLab Emergency Contacts sheet.

Consult the EH&S Spill Poster and Exposure Poster

Waste - SDS

If you are cleaning up after a spill and have a bag of debris, ensure the bag is sealed and use multiple bags as needed. Complete an EH&S Hazardous Waste Label and adhere it to the bag. Here are instructions for how to label chemical waste containers. Labels are located in a drawer on the west wall of 303B near the door to the hallway.

Put all waste, solid or liquid, into a wide-mouth plastic container. Options for waste containers can be found under the west sink in 303B. Complete an EH&S Hazardous Waste Label and adhere it to the bottle. Here are instructions for how to label chemical waste containers. Labels are located in a drawer on the west wall of 303B near the door to the hallway.

Place the properly labeled container in one of the gray tubs near the hallway door of 303B. Segregate from other waste containers as appropriate.

Consult our generalized Chemical Waste Disposal SOP.

Training - PHS

Copper II oxide is deemed a particularly hazardous substance - PHS by EH&S and you need approval before using it. Complete the list of requirements below before using this chemical.

Prerequisites

1. You must have completed Managing Laboratory Chemicals in the last three years. Login to check.
2. Read and understand the SDS for Copper II oxide.
3. Read, understand, and digitally sign this SOP.
4. Contact your Principal Investigator (PI) AND the Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) indicating that you have completed all prerequisites and await approval.

Signature

I have read and understood the present SOP and, before starting work outlined in the present SOP, I will complete all required training.