Cobalt

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Overview
NIOSH Chemical Resources
Related NIOSH Resources
Selected Publications
Related Resources
International Resources

Overview

CAS No. 7440-48-4

Cobalt (Co) is a hard, gray metal that occurs naturally. It is found in rocks, soil, water, plants, and animals, including people. 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.

Cobalt is used in many industries. It’s used in cutting and grinding tools, pigments and paints, colored glass, surgical implants, batteries, and some electroplating. Its radioactive isotope is used in imaging and food irradiation. Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to cobalt include the following:

Workers who work in industries processing cobalt-alloys
Miners who work in the metal mining industries
Workers involved in the production or use of cutting or grinding tools
Employees who work at nuclear or irradiation facilities

NIOSH recommends that employers use Hierarchy of Controls to prevent injuries. If you work in an industry that uses cobalt, please read chemical labels and the accompanying Safety Data Sheets for hazard information. Visit NIOSH’s page on Managing Chemical Safety in the Workplace to learn more about controlling chemical workplace exposures.

The following resources provide information about occupational exposure to cobalt. Useful search terms for cobalt include “cobalt metal dust,” “cobalt metal powder,” “cobalt metal fume,” and “elemental cobalt.”

NIOSH Chemical Resources

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

The NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (NPG) helps workers, employers, and occupational health professionals recognize and control workplace chemical hazards.

Manual of Analytical Methods

The NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM) is a collection of methods for sampling and analysis of contaminants in workplace air, and in the blood and urine of workers who are occupationally exposed.

Health Hazard Evaluations

The Health Hazard Evaluation Program (HHE) conducts onsite investigations of possible worker exposure to chemicals. Search the HHE database for more information on chemical topics.

Related NIOSH Resources

NIOSHTIC-2 search results on cobalt—NIOSHTIC-2 is a searchable database of worker safety and health publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported in whole or in part by NIOSH.
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) Values of Cobalt Metal Dust and Flame—NIOSH reviews relevant scientific data and researches methods for developing IDLH values.
NIOSH Worker Health Study Summaries—NIOSH conducts research to prevent illnesses and injuries in the workplace. The NIOSH Worker Notification Program notifies workers and other stakeholders about the findings of these research studies.

Selected Publications

NIOSH Occupational Hazard Assessment: Criteria for Controlling Exposure to Cobalt—DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 82-107. This report increases awareness and recommends work practices to reduce exposure to the toxic effects of cobalt and degree of worker exposure to substances containing cobalt.
Elements by ICP (7300)—Sampling and measurement data from NMAM, fourth edition.
Cobalt and Compounds (7027)—Sampling and measurement data from NMAM, fourth edition.
Specific Medical Tests or Evaluations Published in the Literature for OSHA-Regulated Substances: Cobalt Metal, Dust, and Fume —DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2005-110 (2004)
Occupational Health Guideline for Cobalt Metal Fume and Dust—This guideline helps stakeholders conduct effective occupational safety and health programs.

Related Resources

International Resources

Page last reviewed: June 24, 2019

Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health