NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

Cobalt metal dust and fume (as Co)

CAS 7440-48-4

Co

RTECS GF8750000
Synonyms & Trade Names
Cobalt metal dust, Cobalt metal fume
DOT ID & Guide

Exposure
Limits

NIOSH REL: TWA 0.05 mg/m3
OSHA PEL†: TWA 0.1 mg/m3
IDLH 20 mg/m3 (as Co) See: 7440484 Conversion
Physical Description
Odorless, silver-gray to black solid.
MW: 58.9
BP: 5612°F
MLT: 2719°F
Sol: Insoluble
VP: 0 mmHg (approx)
IP: NA

Sp.Gr: 8.92
Fl.P: NA
UEL: NA
LEL: NA

Noncombustible Solid in bulk form, but finely divided dust will burn at high temperatures.
Incompatibilities & Reactivities
Strong oxidizers, ammonium nitrate
Measurement Methods
NIOSH 7027, 7300, 7301, 7303, 9102; OSHA ID121, ID125G, ID213
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Personal Protection & Sanitation (See protection)
Skin: Prevent skin contact
Eyes: No recommendation
Wash skin: When contaminated
Remove: When wet or contaminated
Change: Daily

First Aid (See procedures)
Eye: Irrigate immediately
Skin: Soap wash
Breathing: Respiratory support
Swallow: Medical attention immediately
Important additional information about respirator selection
Respirator Recommendations NIOSH
Up to 0.25 mg/m3:
(APF = 5) Any quarter-mask respirator. Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
Up to 0.5 mg/m3:
(APF = 10) Any particulate respirator equipped with an N95, R95, or P95 filter (including N95, R95, and P95 filtering facepieces) except quarter-mask respirators. The following filters may also be used: N99, R99, P99, N100, R100, P100. Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.*
(APF = 10) Any particulate respirator equipped with an N95, R95, or P95 filter (including N95, R95, and P95 filtering facepieces) except quarter-mask respirators. The following filters may also be used: N99, R99, P99, N100, R100, P100. Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.*
(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator*
Up to 1.25 mg/m3:
(APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode*
(APF = 25) Any powered air-purifying respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter.*
(APF = 25) Any powered air-purifying respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter.*
Up to 2.5 mg/m3:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with an N100, R100, or P100 filter. Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece
Up to 20 mg/m3:
(APF = 2000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus
Escape:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with an N100, R100, or P100 filter. Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters./Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
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
See also: INTRODUCTION   See ICSC CARD: 0782   See MEDICAL TESTS: 0055