What is the Application of copper sulfate

Application of copper sulfate have not been the subject of much research. However, there are many uses for copper sulfate including as a agriculture, bleaching and sterilizing chemicals. Copper sulfate can also be used in hospitals to treat malaria, head lice and typhoid fever. In copper sulfate therapy, it can be used as an antiseptic agent by the veterinarians to prevent or treat infectious diseases that cause severe inflammation of the respiratory tract such as Bordetella bronchiseptica infection in rabbits. 

Application of copper sulfate

1. As an agriculture chemical

Copper sulfate used as a fertilizer and curing agent of gluten. It is also used as a mordant dye for textiles and paper when copper cyanide is used. Copper sulfate is also applied to wool or cotton fabrics to prevent them from further being stained by dyes. In medicine, it is added to table salt and some food stuffs like drinks and dairy products as an anti-caking agent. Copper sulfate is also used as an anti-mold/mildew food preservative. It can be sprayed on floor tiles and walls to prevent mildew growth and molding because of its fungicidal properties.

2. As a bleaching agent

Copper sulfate is used to bleach woolen fabrics. It is applied with a small number of drops to the area to be bleached. The best result is obtained at water temperature of 80-85℃ and for an evaporation time of 15-20 seconds, followed by dipping the finished product in boiled water for 1 minute in order for it to remove all traces of copper sulphate from the fabric.

3. As a wash for horses to prevent ringworm and skin infections

Copper sulfate and zinc oxide were used in the 1920s by trainers of racehorses to wash and lubricate the legs of horses after exercise because they believed that they prevent ringworm infections, fungal skin infections and cracked legs. An alternative story involves that the use of zinc oxide in horse's legs was believed to make them slippery.

4. As a sterilizing agent

Copper sulfate is applied to surfaces (such as medical equipment and dental instruments) to have it disinfected and cleaned before being used for any purpose. A common use for copper sulfate is to make it look black, as an anti microbial agent to kill bacteria and as a fungicide against some fungi, yeasts or slime molds. It was also used during World War II by the British troops to wash their uniforms because it made them look black from the damage caused by gas weapons.

5. As an antiseptic agent to treat tuberculosis and other pulmonary diseases

Copper sulfate can be used to treat tuberculosis in a hospital because of its antibacterial properties. It is added in small amount as an anti septic agent when the patients are being treated for certain infections that cause severe inflammation of the respiratory tract. One study showed the effectiveness of the method used to prevent pneumonia caused by bacteria and fungi when they are present at high levels in the lung. It was found that it kills both bacteria and fungi by reducing them by 90% (in comparison with normal saline solution). This use also allows physicians to treat patients with less medication as compared with other small-dose antibiotics.

6. As an antiseptic agent

Copper sulfate is used as an antiseptic in agriculture, medicine, industry and in household. It is used to prevent or reduce the spread of bacteria and fungi in food processing and storage. It is also used in hospitals to prevent or treat certain types of infections that cause severe inflammation of the respiratory tract including Bordetella bronchiseptica infection in rabbits. In medicine, it has been found to be effective against many types of bacteria, viruses and fungi including those that cause mumps, chickenpox, listeria infection, tuberculosis and brucellosis.

In conclusions, application of copper sulfate are many with the main ones being in agriculture, bleaching and sterilizing chemicals. It is also used in hospitals to treat malaria, head lice and typhoid fever. Copper sulfate can also be used in hospitals to treat tuberculosis and certain pulmonary diseases. As an antiseptic agent, it is effective against many types of bacteria, viruses and fungi including those that cause mumps, chickenpox, listeria infection , tuberculosis and brucellosis.