Here are some facts about Copper (II) Sulfate

What

Copper sulfate (also known as Cupric Sulfate) is an inorganic compound, the salt comes in various forms with different hydrations. The two most common compounds are the anhydrous (CuSO₄), which is a white powder, and the pentahydrate (CuSO₄·5H₂O), which is a blue, translucent crystal.

Purpose

• As a fungicide, to clean fruits and remove algae from pools
• Used in electroplating to coat metal objects in copper
• Used to remove plants from an area.

Production

• Mass-produced as a by-product from treating/cleaning copper with hot sulfuric acid, this substance is then purified
• First utilised in 1725, it was produced by a copper smelting facility, where copper was cleaned with sulfuric acid, to remove impurities.

Why

There is only one WHMIS symbol on copper sulfate, which is a materials causing other toxic effects symbol, it is recommended that copper sulfate never come into contact with the human body. It is known to cause respiratory arrest, and if ingested in high amounts it can cause buildups in the liver. The lethal dose is 11mg/kg body weight.

Price

$24.50 – $28 for 10lbs of 99% pure pentahydrate copper sulfate.

Who

Scientific Supply LTD. Was the manufacturer of the copper sulfate we saw at Riverside.

Sources: <en.wikipedia.org>, <www.olimp.odessa.ua>, <pmep.cce.cornell.edu>