1. OSHA Occupational Chemical Database
  2. COBALT METAL, DUST & FUME (as Co)
Label abbreviations descriptions

COBALT METAL, DUST & FUME (as Co)†

Chemical Identification
Chemical Identification
CAS # 7440-48-4
Formula

Co
Synonyms

cobalt metal dust; cobalt metal fume; cobalt metal powder; elemental cobalt
Physical Properties
Physical Properties
Physical description Odorless, silver-gray to black solid.
Boiling point 5612°F Molecular weight 58.9
Freezing point/melting point 2719°F Vapor pressure 0 mmHg (approx)
Flash point Vapor density
Specific gravity 8.92 Ionization potential
Lower explosive limit (LEL) Upper explosive limit (UEL)
NFPA health rating NFPA fire rating
NFPA reactivity rating NFPA special instruction
Vapor hazard ratio (VHR)
Historical exceedance percentage
Target organs
Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Analyte code (IMIS no.) 0720 0720
Sampling group METALSSG-2
Sampler/Sampling media Pre-assembled cassette with mixed cellulose ester filter (MCEF) 0.8 micron (25 or 37 mm) [MAWP025A0 or MAWP037A0] Pre-assembled cassette with mixed cellulose ester filter (MCEF) 0.8 micron (37 mm) [MAWP037A0]
Sampling time*

240-480 min

240 min
Sampling volume (TWA)*

480-960 L

480 L
Sampling flow rate (TWA)*

2 L/min

2 L/min
Sampling volume (STEL/Peak/C)*
Sampling flow rate (STEL/Peak/C)*
Analytical method instruments ICP ICP
Method reference OSHA ID-125G (fully validated) OSHA ID-213 (fully validated)
Notes

Results are provided for the presence and amount or concentration of a specific element or elements. The stated identity of the actual sample contents (such as a specific form or compound) is based on the assumption that the material sampled is as identified by the compliance officer using available documentation of materials and processes.

The physical form of a sample (dust, mist, or fume) is identified by the compliance officer using available documentation of materials and processes.

Results are provided for the presence and amount or concentration of a specific element or elements. The stated identity of the actual sample contents (such as a specific form or compound) is based on the assumption that the material sampled is as identified by the compliance officer using available documentation of materials and processes.

The physical form of a sample (dust, mist, or fume) is identified by the compliance officer using available documentation of materials and processes.
Special requirements

For the entire suite of analytes listed in METALSSG-2, request analyte code 2587.

For cobalt in cemented tungsten carbide or tungsten alloy matrices.

* All sampling instructions above are recommended guidelines for OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs), please see the corresponding OSHA method reference for complete details.

Wipe Method
Wipe Method
Sampler/Sampling media

Wipe with Whatman smear tab. [WHA1450993]
Bulk Method
Bulk Method

Available
On-Site Screening Techniques
On-Site Screening Techniques
Device
Model/Type
Sampling information
(see manufacturer instructions)
Exposure Limits
Exposure Limits
OSHA PEL
8-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
Peak
NIOSH REL
Up to 10-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
ACGIH TLV©
8-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
CAL/OSHA PEL
8-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
Peak
PEL-TWA

0.1 mg/m³

 REL-TWA

0.05 mg/m³

 TLV-TWA

0.02 mg/m³ (inhalable particulate matter) (cobalt [7440-48-4] and inorganic compounds, as Co) [2018]

 PEL-TWA

0.020 mg/m³
PEL-STEL REL-STEL TLV-STEL PEL-STEL
PEL-C REL-C TLV-C PEL-C
Skin notation

N

 Skin notation

N

 Skin notation

N

 Skin notation

N
Notes:

See 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1.

 Notes: Notes:

DSEN; RSEN; BEI®. Also refer to TLV: 0.005 mg/m³, respiratory sensitizer (RSEN), TLV-A2, BEI®; (hard metals containing cobalt [7440-48-4]) and tungsten carbide [12070-12-1], as Co) [2015]

 Notes:
Health factors:  See NIH-NLM PubChem. IDLH

20 mg/m³
Carcinogenic classifications: TLV-A3, IARC-2B Notes:
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3:
Additional Resources and Literature References
Additional Resources and Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Cobalt

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Cobalt metal dust and fume (as Co)

Literature References

  • ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Cobalt [7440-48-4] and inorganic compounds, as Co. See annual publication for most recent information.
  • EPA: Hazard Summary - Cobalt Compounds
  • ATSDR: Toxicological Profile for Cobalt. 2004.
  • California Occupational Safety & Health Standards Board: Initial and Final Statement of Reasons February 3, 2001.
  • Lauwerys, R. and Lison, D.: Health risks associated with cobalt exposure - an overview. Sci. Total Environ. 150(1-3): 1-6, 1994.
  • Linnainmaa, M. and Kiilunen, M.: Urinary cobalt as a measure of exposure in the wet sharpening of hard metal and stellite blades. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 69(3): 193-200, 1997.
  • Lison, D., Bucher, J.-P., Swennen, B., Molders, J. and Lauwerys, R.: Biological monitoring of workers exposed to cobalt metal, salt, oxides, and hard metal dust. Occup. Environ. Med. 51(7): 447-450, 1994.
  • Lison, D: Human toxicity of cobalt-containing dust and experimental studies on the mechanism of interstitial lung disease (hard metal disaease). Crit Rev Toxicol. 26 (6): 585-6 16, 1996.
  • NIOSH: Occupational Hazard Assessment - Criteria for Controlling Occupational Exposure to Cobalt. 1981.

Last Updated Date : 12/21/2020