Is Cobalt A Hazardous Material?

* Cobalt is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH, DEP, IARC and EPA. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is a CARCINOGEN and is FLAMMABLE.

Is cobalt a hazard?

It can harm the eyes, skin, heart, and lungs. Exposure to cobalt may cause cancer. Workers may be harmed from exposure to cobalt and cobalt-containing products. The level of harm depends upon the dose, duration, and work being done.

How much cobalt is toxic?

Excessive cobalt can produce systemic toxicity affecting multiple organ systems. Adverse effects related to cobalt toxicity can occur at levels of 7-10 μg/L or more. Previously, cobalt toxicity has been seen in the form of pulmonary disease in those who inhaled cobalt dust while drilling or polishing.

Is cobalt toxic in water?

In higher concentrations, cobalt is toxic to humans and to terrestrial and aquatic animals and plants. At the time of issuing the report, BC MWLAP uses the Ontario guideline for the protection of freshwater aquatic life (0.9 µg cobalt/L) as a working water quality guideline.

Is cobalt a known carcinogen?

Based on the laboratory animal data, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that cobalt and cobalt compounds are possibly carcinogenic to humans.

Why is cobalt hazardous?

* Exposure to Cobalt dust can irritate the skin, eyes, nose and throat. * Cobalt may cause an asthma-like allergy. Future exposure can cause asthma attacks with shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, and/or chest tightness. * Cobalt may affect the heart, thyroid, liver and kidneys.

Is cobalt blue hazardous?

Cobalt blue is toxic when ingested or inhaled. Its use requires appropriate precautions to avoid internal contamination and to prevent cobalt poisoning.

What is the problem with cobalt?

Waste generated from mining cobalt and other metals can pollute water, air and soil, leading to decreased crop yields, contaminated food and water, and respiratory and reproductive health issues. Miners reported that working conditions were unsafe, unfair and stressful.

Is raw cobalt radioactive?

Cobalt occurs naturally as only one stable isotope, cobalt-59. Cobalt-60 is a commercially important radioisotope, used as a radioactive tracer and for the production of high-energy gamma rays.

Is there cobalt in tap water?

In most drinking water, cobalt levels are less than 1–2 ppb. For most people, food is the largest source of cobalt intake.

Is cobalt poisoning common?

Systemic cobalt toxicity post-arthroplasty is extremely rare. The few known fatal cases of cobalt toxicity appear to be a result of replacing shattered ceramic heads with metal-on-metal or metal-on-polyethylene implants.

How do you get rid of cobalt poisoning?

One method of treating ASR Hip Replacement patients with high levels of chromium and cobalt in their blood is chelation therapy. The process involves the administration of chelating agents—the most common of which is ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)—to remove the poisonous metals from the body.

Is cobalt magnetic?

Cobalt. Cobalt is a ferromagnetic metal. Over the past 100 years, cobalt has been used widely because of its excellent magnetic properties. Cobalt can be used to make both soft and hard magnets.

What everyday items have cobalt in them?

What are some products that may contain Cobalt (II) Chloride Hexahydrate?

• Artificial Joint Replacements.
• Bricks and Cement.
• Ceramic Paints (Blue Colors)
• Clothing Fasteners. • Buckles. • Buttons. • Hooks. • Pins. • Rivets. • Snaps. • Zippers.
• Cosmetics. • Eyeshadow.
• Household Tools and Utensils.
• Hair Ornaments.
• Jewelry.

Is cobalt a neurotoxin?

Cobalt exerts well-known and documented toxic effects on the thyroid, heart and the haematopoietic system, in addition to the occupational lung disease, allergic manifestations and a probably carcinogenic action. Cobalt neurotoxicity is reported in isolated cases, and it has never been systematically treated.

Is the element cobalt radioactive?

Cobalt-60 is a radioactive isotope. It is an important source of gamma-rays. It is widely used in cancer treatment, as a tracer and for radiotherapy. Cobalt is found in the minerals cobaltite, skutterudite and erythrite.

What happens if you touch cobalt 60?

Because it decays by gamma radiation, external exposure to large sources of Co-60 can cause skin burns, acute radiation sickness, or death. Most Co-60 that is ingested is excreted in the feces; however, a small amount is absorbed by the liver, kidneys, and bones.

What is cobalt mainly used for?

On a global basis, the leading use of cobalt is in rechargeable battery electrodes. Superalloys, which are used to make parts for gas turbine engines, are another major use for cobalt.

Can I eat cobalt?

Other health effects associated with exposure to high levels of cobalt through ingestion may include: nausea and vomiting, vision problems, dermatitis, thyroid damage, severe damage to the heart, and even death.

Are cobalt colors toxic?

Cobalt blue (CoAl₂O₄) is used as an intensely blue, easy-to-synthesize, and stable pigment. However, cobalt is toxic and environmentally harmful. Synthesizing alternative pigments with lower toxicity but a similar color and intensity has been challenging so far.

Is cobalt glass toxic?

Health Concerns. As mentioned earlier, cobalt is generally safe–but not for the workers who extract it from the environment and are likely to be inhaling high and harmful amounts of cobalt on a regular basis.