Signs and symptoms from oral exposure include metallic taste, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and upper

abdominal pain.28 Symptoms are affected by stomach acidity and content.3 Green or blue coloration of
the vomit, stool, and saliva have been reported.29 Corrosion of the gastrointestinal epithelium may
occur.3 Copper exposure may also cause failure of the liver, kidneys, and circulatory system.28

Additional signs including dark brown or red urine, decreased urine production, gastrointestinal
bleeding, jaundice, bluish skin or mucous membranes, delirium, and coma have been reported in
patients who ingested up to 50 g of copper sulfate.30

Symptoms of acute exposure to dust and powder formulations may include skin and eye irritation.
Soluble copper sulfate in the eye may be corrosive to the cornea.28

Inhalation exposure may result in irritation of the respiratory tract, including corrosion of mucous
membranes.28 Other signs and symptoms from inhalation exposure to copper salts include congestion
of mucous membranes and ulceration of the nasal septum.31

Always follow label instructions and take steps to minimize exposure. If any exposure occurs, be sure
to follow the First Aid instructions on the product label carefully. For additional treatment advice,
contact the Poison Control Center at 1-800- 222-1222. If you wish to discuss an incident with the
National Pesticide Information Center, please call 1-800-858-7378.

Chronic Toxicity:

Animals

Twelve rabbits inhaled sprayed Bordeaux mixture for 10 minutes, 3 times daily for 4 months. The
concentration was increased gradually from 1% to 3%. All animals developed inflammation, copper
deposits, and degenerative changes in the lung tissue. In contrast to other studies with longer exposure
times, this research did not find granulomas or fibrosis in the lung tissue.32

Rats were fed ad libitum a diet containing 0, 500, 1000, 2000 or 4000 ppm of copper as copper sulfate
for one month. Copper content increased in the blood, spleen, and liver for all groups. Growth and food
intake decreased with higher concentrations. At the highest dose, rats died after the first week.33

Male rats were given 100 mg/kg/day of copper sulfate by gavage for 20 days. Signs included change of
paw color from pink to white and reduced body weight. Further analysis showed destruction of red
blood cells and copper deposition and necrosis in liver and kidney tissue.34

Pigs were fed copper sulfate pentahydrate at copper concentrations of 0, 250 and 425 ppm Cu for 48
to 79 days. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage, cirrhosis of the liver, and jaundice were observed at the
highest dose.35

Sixteen lambs ate a diet containing copper sulfate pentahydrate at a concentration of 15 ppm Cu for
88 days. Two lambs died due to jaundice. The livers of the surviving lambs contained high
concentrations of copper.27
 Sheep fed mixtures containing 5.3-9.9% copper sulfate pentahydrate ingested 0.645-1.660 g copper
sulfate daily for 28 to 113 days. Signs included lethargy, jaundice, hemoglobinuria, bloody nasal
discharge, fast pulse, fast breathing, greenishblack stools, and recumbency before death.36

Laying hens were fed copper sulfate at concentrations of 78 ppm Cu and 1437 ppm Cu for 2 weeks. At
the highest concentration, hens produced fewer eggs, consumed less feed, and developed ulcers in the
gizzard and oral cavity.37 Other studies of chickens that were fed copper sulfate reported oral lesions
proportional to the dose of copper, and conflicting effects on feeding rate and weight gain.38,39,40,41

Rats exposed by inhalation to copper sulfate for 1 hour/day for 10 days at a concentration of 330 g/L
spray had increased concentrations of copper in the liver and plasma. Copper did not accumulate in the
lung tissue.42