Summary for liver of sulfur toxicity Discussion
Liver of sulfur toxicity is the main concern in this thread, but the replies suggest it is not generally treated as "highly toxic" when used for patina work. Stacy Trimble asked about patinating punched copper panels after being warned the material was very dangerous. James Totter, CEF, later said the best way to judge the hazard is to consult an MSDS, and advised searching for "sulfurated potash MSDS" rather than relying on hearsay. Leslie S. asked for a more detailed explanation of exposure, protection, and body effects for dipping copper lamp parts for three hours every three weeks, using exhaust, gloves, and a respirator. The thread excerpt does not provide a detailed toxicology answer, but it does point readers toward the safety data sheet as the practical source for exposure limits and protection guidance.
I want to patina some metal-punched copper panels with liver of sulfur
⇦ on
eBay or
Amazon [affil link]
, but someone told me the stuff is HIGHLY TOXIC. I’ve read a few things on the substance and don’t find mention of that fact anywhere. Can anyone offer a few words of advice?
Stacy Trimble
– Santa Barbara, California
2000
 | A. Dear Stacy It is not the liver of sulphate that is toxic , it is the gas that is produced (in very small amounts) when dissolving it in water. The H2S Gas is 10 times more toxic then HCN but I do not think there is a great risk, because of the very strong smell of H2S ( It smells like eggs that have become bad, in fact it is the same stuff that make the eggs smell). If you use liver of sulphate ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] , work in a well ventilated area, there should be no problem. Best regards Marcus Marcus Hahn A. Liver of Sulfur (potassium sulfide) will, in the presence of acid, generate hydrogen sulfide. This gas IS highly toxic, so you need to use caution. You also must avoid contact with this stuff unless you want to smell like rotten eggs.
2000 |
I am interested in a more detailed description of the toxicity of Liver of sulphate. How much does it take to get what amount of exposure and under what conditions? What kind of protection is necessary? Exactly how does it affect the body? I will be dipping copper lamp parts into a bath of it for about 3 hours every 3 weeks. There is an exhaust system, and I would be wearing
rubber gloves
⇦ on
eBay or
Amazon [affil link] and a respirator
⇦ on
or
Amazon [affil link]
. Is this enough?
Leslie S.
– Seattle, Washington, USA
2004
You can get an MSDS (material safety data sheet) on this. I don’t want to put a specific URL here because website come and websites go, while finishing.com letters stay on line a long time, but type
“sulfurated potash MSDS” into a general search engine, and you’ll find it easy enough, Leslie.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
2004