Common Name: COBALT

CAS Number: 7440-48-4

DOT Number: UN 3089 RTK Substance number: 0520
DOT Hazard Class: 4.1 (Flammable solid) Date: May 1998 Revision: June 2005
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HAZARD SUMMARY HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING

* Cobalt can affect you when breathed in. EXPOSED
* Cobalt should be handled as a CARCINOGEN--WITH The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most employers
EXTREME CAUTION. to label chemicals in the workplace and requires public
* Cobalt may cause a skin allergy. If allergy develops, very employers to provide their employees with information
low future exposure can cause itching and a skin rash. and training concerning chemical hazards and controls. The
* Exposure to Cobalt dust can irritate the skin, eyes, nose federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 1910.1200,
and throat. requires private employers to provide similar training and
* Cobalt may cause an asthma-like allergy. Future exposure information to their employees.
can cause asthma attacks with shortness of breath, * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely
wheezing, cough, and/or chest tightness. evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area
* Cobalt may affect the heart, thyroid, liver and kidneys. air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results
* Repeated exposure to Cobalt dust can cause scarring of from your employer. You have a legal right to this
the lungs (fibrosis) even if no symptoms are noticed. This information under OSHA 1910.1020.
can be disabling or fatal. * If you think you are experiencing any work-related health
* Finely divided Cobalt is FLAMMABLE and may ignite problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational
spontaneously. diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you.

IDENTIFICATION WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS

Cobalt is a silver-gray, bendable metal. It is used in steel OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit
alloys and jet engines, in nuclear technology, and in cemented (PEL) is 0.1 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour
carbide abrasives and tools. Cobalt has several artificial workshift.
radioactive isotopes, the most important being Cobalt 60.
Cobalt 60 is a beta and gamma emitter and is used in NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is
radiation therapy, level gauges, and in research. 0.05 mg/m3 averaged over a 10-hour workshift.

REASON FOR CITATION ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is

* Cobalt is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is 0.02 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift.
regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH,
DEP, IARC and EPA. * Cobalt may be a CARCINOGEN in humans. There may
* This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance be no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so all contact
List because it is a CARCINOGEN and is should be reduced to the lowest possible level.
FLAMMABLE. * Exposure to radioactive materials is regulated by NRC and
* Cobalt is a radioactive isotope and is regulated by the OSHA. Refer to the NRC Standard: 10 CFR 20 and the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Refer to the OSHA Standard: 29 CFR 1910.1096.
NRC Standard: 10 CFR 20.
* Definitions are provided on page 5.
 COBALT page 2 of 6

WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE MEDICAL

* Enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the
site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or Medical Testing
enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the
* Wear protective work clothing. TLV or greater), the following are recommended before
* Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Cobalt and beginning work and at regular times after that:
at the end of the workshift.
* Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In * Chest x-ray for scarring should be done every two to three
addition, as part of an ongoing education and training years after five or more years of exposure.
effort, communicate all information on the health and safety * Lung function tests.
hazards of Cobalt to potentially exposed workers.
If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the
------------------------------------------------------------------------ following are recommended:
This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all
potential and most severe health hazards that may result from * EKG.
exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance * Liver and kidney function tests.
and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the * Thyroid function tests.
potential effects described below. * Evaluation by a qualified allergist, including careful
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- exposure history and special testing, may help diagnose
skin allergy.
HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION * Lung function tests. These may be normal if the person is
not having an attack at the time of the test.
Acute Health Effects
The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and
immediately or shortly after exposure to Cobalt: present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for
damage already done are not a substitute for controlling
* Exposure to Cobalt dust can irritate the skin, eyes, nose and exposure.
throat.
Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right
Chronic Health Effects to this information under OSHA 1910.1020.
The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at
some time after exposure to Cobalt and can last for months or Mixed Exposures
years: * Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung
cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may
Cancer Hazard worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure.
* Cobalt may be a CARCINOGEN in humans since it has Even if you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will
been shown to cause cancer of the muscle (only at the reduce your risk of developing health problems.
injection site) in animals. * Because more than light alcohol consumption can cause
* Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to liver damage, drinking alcohol may increase the liver
a carcinogen. damage caused by Cobalt.

Reproductive Hazard WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES

* Cobalt may damage the male reproductive system
(including a decrease in sperm count) and affect male Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous
fertility in animals. substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most
effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to
Other Long-Term Effects enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at
* Cobalt may cause a skin allergy. If allergy develops, very the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also
low future exposure can cause itching and a skin rash. reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is
* Cobalt may cause an asthma-like allergy. Future exposure less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is
can cause asthma attacks with shortness of breath, sometimes necessary.
wheezing, cough, and/or chest tightness.
* Cobalt may affect the heart, thyroid, liver and kidneys. In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider:
* Repeated exposure to Cobalt dust can cause scarring of the (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the
lungs (fibrosis) even if no symptoms are noticed. This can substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether
be disabling or fatal. harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls
should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when
significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible.
 COBALT page 3 of 6

In addition, the following controls are recommended: * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear)
should be clean, available each day, and put on before
* Where possible, automatically transfer Cobalt from drums work.
or other storage containers to process containers.
* Before entering a confined space where finely divided Eye Protection
Cobalt powder or dust may be present, check to make sure * Wear eye protection with side shields or goggles.
that an explosive concentration does not exist. * Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with
* Specific engineering controls and personnel monitoring are corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances.
required by the NRC Standard: 10 CFR 20, and OSHA * Contact lenses should not be worn when working with this
Ionizing Radiation Standard: 29 CFR 1910.1096. Also substance.
check specific state regulations.
Respiratory Protection
Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS.
exposures. The following work practices are recommended: Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a
written program that takes into account workplace conditions,
* Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Cobalt requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and
should change into clean clothing promptly. medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134.
* Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family
members could be exposed. * NIOSH has established new testing and certification
* Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by requirements for negative pressure, air purifying, particulate
individuals who have been informed of the hazards of filter and filtering facepiece respirators. The filter
exposure to Cobalt. classifications of dust/mist/fume, paint spray or pesticide
* Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate prefilters, and filters for radon daughters, have been
work area for emergency use. replaced with the N, R, and P series. Each series has three
* If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency levels of filtering efficiency: 95%, 99%, and 99.9%.
shower facilities should be provided. Check with your safety equipment supplier or your
* On skin contact with Cobalt, immediately wash or shower respirator manufacturer to determine which respirator is
to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash appropriate for your facility.
any areas of the body that may have contacted Cobalt, * If while wearing a filter or cartridge respirator you can
whether or not known skin contact has occurred. smell, taste, or otherwise detect Cobalt, or if while wearing
* Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Cobalt is handled, particulate filters abnormal resistance to breathing is
processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed.
experienced, or eye irritation occurs while wearing a full
Wash hands carefully before eating, drinking, smoking, or
facepiece respirator, leave the area immediately. Check to
using the toilet.
make sure the respirator-to-face seal is still good. If it is,
* Use a vacuum to reduce dust during clean-up. DO NOT
replace the filter or cartridge. If the seal is no longer good,
DRY SWEEP.
you may need a new respirator.
* Be sure to consider all potential exposures in your
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT workplace. You may need a combination of filters,
prefilters or cartridges to protect against different forms of a
WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN
chemical (such as vapor and mist) or against a mixture of
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for
chemicals.
some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs
* Where the potential for high exposure exists, use a
done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace
controls are being installed), personal protective equipment MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full
may be appropriate. facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-
pressure mode. For increased protection use in combination
OSHA 1910.132 requires employers to determine the with an auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus
appropriate personal protective equipment for each hazard and operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure
to train employees on how and when to use protective mode.
equipment. * Exposure to 20 mg/m3 is immediately dangerous to life and
health. If the possibility of exposure above 20 mg/m3
The following recommendations are only guidelines and may exists, use a NIOSH approved self-contained breathing
not apply to every situation. apparatus with a full facepiece operated in a pressure-
demand or other positive-pressure mode equipped with an
Clothing emergency escape air cylinder.
* Avoid skin contact with Cobalt. Wear protective gloves
and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/manufacturers can HANDLING AND STORAGE
provide recommendations on the most protective
glove/clothing material for your operation. * Prior to working with Cobalt you should be trained on its
proper handling and storage.
 COBALT page 4 of 6

* Finely divided Cobalt must be stored to avoid contact with may be a problem for children or people who are already
AMMONIUM NITRATE since violent reactions occur. ill.
* Cobalt is not compatible with STRONG ACIDS (such as
HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and NITRIC);
OXIDIZING AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES,
PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES,
NITRATES, CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE);
AIR; ACETYLENE; and OXYGEN.
* Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated
area away from COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS (such as
WOOD, FUEL and OILS).
* Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are
prohibited where finely divided Cobalt is used, handled, or
stored.
* Metal containers involving the transfer of finely divided
Cobalt should be grounded and bonded.
* Use only non-sparking tools and equipment, especially
when opening and closing containers of finely divided
Cobalt.
* Wherever finely divided Cobalt is used, handled,
manufactured, or stored, use explosion-proof electrical
equipment and fittings.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q: If I have acute health effects, will I later get chronic
health effects?
A: Not always. Most chronic (long-term) effects result from
repeated exposures to a chemical.

Q: Can I get long-term effects without ever having short-

term effects?
A: Yes, because long-term effects can occur from repeated
exposures to a chemical at levels not high enough to make
you immediately sick.

Q: What are my chances of getting sick when I have been

exposed to chemicals?
A: The likelihood of becoming sick from chemicals is
increased as the amount of exposure increases. This is
determined by the length of time and the amount of
material to which someone is exposed.

Q: When are higher exposures more likely?

A: Conditions which increase risk of exposure include dust
releasing operations (grinding, mixing, blasting, dumping,
etc.), other physical and mechanical processes (heating,
pouring, spraying, spills and evaporation from large
surface areas such as open containers), and "confined
space" exposures (working inside vats, reactors, boilers,
small rooms, etc.).

Q: Is the risk of getting sick higher for workers than for

community residents?
A: Yes. Exposures in the community, except possibly in
cases of fires or spills, are usually much lower than those
found in the workplace. However, people in the
community may be exposed to contaminated water as
well as to chemicals in the air over long periods. This
 COBALT page 5 of 6

Q: Don't all chemicals cause cancer? DEFINITIONS

A: No. Most chemicals tested by scientists are not cancer-
causing. ACGIH is the American Conference of Governmental
Industrial Hygienists. It recommends upper limits (called
Q: Should I be concerned if a chemical causes cancer in TLVs) for exposure to workplace chemicals.
animals?
A: Yes. Most scientists agree that a chemical that causes A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer.
cancer in animals should be treated as a suspected human
carcinogen unless proven otherwise. The CAS number is assigned by the Chemical Abstracts
Service to identify a specific chemical.
Q: But don't they test animals using much higher levels of a
chemical than people usually are exposed to? CFR is the Code of Federal Regulations, which consists of the
A: Yes. That's so effects can be seen more clearly using regulations of the United States government.
fewer animals. But high doses alone don't cause cancer
unless it's a cancer agent. In fact, a chemical that causes A combustible substance is a solid, liquid or gas that will burn.
cancer in animals at high doses could cause cancer in
humans exposed to low doses. A corrosive substance is a gas, liquid or solid that causes
irreversible damage to human tissue or containers.
Q: Can men as well as women be affected by chemicals that
cause reproductive system damage? DEP is the New Jersey Department of Environmental
A: Yes. Some chemicals reduce potency or fertility in both Protection.
men and women. Some damage sperm and eggs, possibly
leading to birth defects. DOT is the Department of Transportation, the federal agency
that regulates the transportation of chemicals.
Q: Who is at the greatest risk from reproductive hazards?
A: Pregnant women are at greatest risk from chemicals that EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency, the federal
harm the developing fetus. However, chemicals may agency responsible for regulating environmental hazards.
affect the ability to have children, so both men and
women of childbearing age are at high risk. A fetus is an unborn human or animal.
========================================== A flammable substance is a solid, liquid, vapor or gas that will
The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, ignite easily and burn rapidly.
Occupational Health Service, offers multiple services in
occupational health. These include: Right to Know The flash point is the temperature at which a liquid or solid
Information Resources, Public Presentations, General gives off vapor that can form a flammable mixture with air.
References, Industrial Hygiene Information, Surveys and
Investigations, and Medical Evaluation. Consult another Fact IARC is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a
Sheet for a more detailed description of these services or call scientific group that classifies chemicals according to their
(609) 984-2202. cancer-causing potential.
==========================================
IRIS is the Integrated Risk Information System database of the
federal EPA.

A miscible substance is a liquid or gas that will evenly dissolve

in another.

mg/m3 means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of air.

It is a measure of concentration (weight/volume).

A mutagen is a substance that causes mutations. A mutation is

a change in the genetic material in a body cell. Mutations can
lead to birth defects, miscarriages, or cancer.
 COBALT page 6 of 6

NAERG is the North American Emergency Response

Guidebook. It was jointly developed by Transport Canada, the
United States Department of Transportation and the Secretariat
of Communications and Transportation of Mexico. It is a
guide for first responders to quickly identify the specific or
generic hazards of material involved in a transportation
incident, and to protect themselves and the general public
during the initial response phase of the incident.

NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. It classifies

substances according to their fire and explosion hazard.

NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and

Health. It tests equipment, evaluates and approves respirators,
conducts studies of workplace hazards, and proposes standards
to OSHA.

NTP is the National Toxicology Program which tests

chemicals and reviews evidence for cancer.

OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration,

which adopts and enforces health and safety standards.

PEL is the Permissible Exposure Limit which is enforceable by

the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

PIH is a DOT designation for chemicals which are Poison

Inhalation Hazards.

ppm means parts of a substance per million parts of air. It is a

measure of concentration by volume in air.

A reactive substance is a solid, liquid or gas that releases

energy under certain conditions.

STEL is a Short Term Exposure Limit which is usually a 15-

minute exposure that should not be exceeded at any time during
a work day.

A teratogen is a substance that causes birth defects by

damaging the fetus.

TLV is the Threshold Limit Value, the workplace exposure

limit recommended by ACGIH.

The vapor pressure is a measure of how readily a liquid or a

solid mixes with air at its surface. A higher vapor pressure
indicates a higher concentration of the substance in air and
therefore increases the likelihood of breathing it in.
 page 7 of 6
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> E M E R G E N C Y I N F O R M A T I O N <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Common Name: COBALT ===========================================

DOT Number: UN 3089 FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire
DOT Hazard Class: 4.1 (Flammable solid) department. You can request emergency information from the
NAERG Code: 170 following:
CAS Number: 7440-48-4
CHEMTREC: (800) 424-9300
NJDEP HOTLINE: 1-877-WARN-DEP
Hazard rating NJDHSS NFPA ===========================================
FLAMMABILITY 3 -
0 -
HANDLING AND STORAGE (See page 3)
REACTIVITY
CARCINOGEN FIRST AID
FINELY DIVIDED COBALT IS FLAMMABLE
MAY BE RADIOACTIVE For POISON INFORMATION call 1-800-222-1222

Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; Eye Contact

3=serious; 4=severe * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least
15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek
FIRE HAZARDS medical attention.

* Cobalt is not combustible when in solid or bulk form. Skin Contact

However, finely divided Cobalt is FLAMMABLE and will * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash
ignite spontaneously in air. contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and water.
* Use dolomite, sand, soda ash, dry powder or graphite
powder for extinguishing a powdered metal fire. DO NOT Breathing
USE WATER directly on material. * Remove the person from exposure.
* If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be * Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if
trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped.
* Transfer promptly to a medical facility.
SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES
PHYSICAL DATA
If Cobalt is spilled, take the following steps:
Vapor Pressure: 0 mm Hg at 68oF (20oC)
* Evacuate persons not wearing protective equipment from Water Solubility: Insoluble
area of spill until clean-up is complete.
* If spill involves radioactive Cobalt, evacuate area and OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES
delay clean-up until properly instructed by qualified
radiation authorities. Chemical Name:
* Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe
Cobalt
manner and deposit in sealed containers.
* Ventilate and wash area after clean-up is complete. Other Names:
* It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Cobalt as a Cobalt-59; C.I. 77320
HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) or your regional office of ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial
specific recommendations. purposes.
* If employees are required to clean-up spills, they must be ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
properly trained and equipped. OSHA 1910.120(q) may be NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
applicable. SENIOR SERVICES
Right to Know Program
PO Box 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368
(609) 984-2202
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