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Chemical Datasheet

COBALT

4.1 - Flammable solid

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 7440-48-4
  • 3178
  • Flammable Solid
none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Cobalt metal dust and fume (as Co)
  • COBALT
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
A black powder.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Burns brilliantly when exposed to air [Mellor 14:453(1946-1947)]. Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Literature sources indicate that the dust of this chemical is flammable. (NTP, 1992)
Health Hazard
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Cobalt metal dust and fume (as Co):

Exposure Routes: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

Symptoms: Cough, dyspnea (breathing difficulty), wheezing, decreased pulmonary function; weight loss; dermatitis; diffuse nodular fibrosis; respiratory hypersensitivity, asthma

Target Organs: Skin, respiratory system (NIOSH, 2023)
Reactivity Profile
Pyrophoric COBALT is a reducing agent. Decomposes acetylene in the cold as the metal becomes incandescent [Mellor 14:513(1946-1947]. Incompatible with oxidizing agents such as ammonium nitrate, bromine pentafluoride, and nitryl fluoride.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 133 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Solids]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 25 meters (75 feet) in all directions.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Fires involving this material can be controlled with a dry chemical, carbon dioxide or Halon extinguisher. Dry sand, dry dolomite or dry graphite powder may also be used. (NTP, 1992)
Non-Fire Response
SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: If you spill this chemical, you should dampen the solid spill material with water, then transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with water to pick up any remaining material. Seal your contaminated clothing and the absorbent paper in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Wash all contaminated surfaces with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.

STORAGE PRECAUTIONS: You should store this material under ambient temperatures and away from acids and oxidizing materials. (NTP, 1992)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Cobalt metal dust and fume (as Co):

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: No recommendation is made specifying the need for eye protection.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED - Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: DAILY - Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises. (NIOSH, 2023)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment.

INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.

INGESTION: Some heavy metals are VERY TOXIC POISONS, especially if their salts are very soluble in water (e.g., lead, chromium, mercury, bismuth, osmium, and arsenic). IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center and locate activated charcoal, egg whites, or milk in case the medical advisor recommends administering one of them. Also locate Ipecac syrup or a glass of salt water in case the medical advisor recommends inducing vomiting. Usually, this is NOT RECOMMENDED outside of a physician's care. If advice from a physician is not readily available and the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give the victim a glass of activated charcoal slurry in water or, if this is not available, a glass of milk, or beaten egg whites and IMMEDIATELY transport victim to a hospital. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, assure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. (NTP, 1992)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • Co
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: 2723°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure: 0 mmHg at 68°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 8.9 at 68°F (NTP, 1992) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 5198°F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight: 58.93 (NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility: less than 1 mg/mL at 66°F (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: 20 mg Co/m3 (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Cobalt (7440-48-4) 0.18 mg/m3 2 mg/m3 20 mg/m3
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Cobalt 7440-48-4 313
Cobalt Compounds N096 & 313

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names