| Agent Name |
Cobalt |
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| CAS Number |
7440-48-4 |
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| Formula |
Co |
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| Major Category |
Metals |
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| Synonyms |
Cobalt metal dust, Cobalt metal fume |
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| Category |
Metals, Elemental |
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| Description |
Odorless, silver-gray to black solid; |
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| Sources/Uses |
Occupational asthma reported in hard metal grinders and diamond polishers; [Malo] Allergic contact dermatitis in electronics workers; [Marks] Cobalt chloride skin allergy often accompanies chromium and nickel sensitization. Affected workers include electroplaters, hairdressers, cement handlers, and metal tool manufacturers and users. [Kanerva, p. 427] Also used in orthopedic prostheses, glass and paint pigments, and catalysts; it may be released in emissions from burning fossil fuels. Cobalt is an essential nutrient in the human diet in the form of Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin). Radioactive cobalt is used in medicine and food/equipment irradiation. [ATSDR ToxProfiles] |
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| Comments |
Cobalt is used as a binder along with tungsten and carbon to produce tungsten carbide. Cobalt is the suspected agent of hard metal lung disease. [Harber, p.116] Pulmonary edema can result from heavy exposure to cobalt fumes. [Harber, p. 496] |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| BEI |
Cobalt in urine = 15 ug/L; cobalt in blood = 1 ug/L; sample at end of shift at end of workweek; |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| Bioaccumulates |
Yes |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
0.02 mg/m3 |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
0.1 mg/m3, as Co (metal,dust and fume) |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
20 mg/m3 |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
It has been reported that animals chronically exposed for 3 years to a cobalt-metal blend at a concentration of 20 mg Co/m3 developed fibrotic lesions in the lungs [Patty 1963]. |
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| Half Life |
Whole body (depends on compound and route): 5 days to 4 years; [TDR, p. 786] |
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| Reference Link |
ATSDR - ToxFAQs - Cobalt |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Asthma |
Yes |
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| Toxic Pneumonitis |
Yes |
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| Fibrogenic |
Yes |
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| Skin Sensitizer |
Yes |
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| IARC Carcinogen |
Possible Carcinogen |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: COBALT
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