![]() Environmental guidelinesĬobalt is mainly emitted from sources where it is used in the production of steel and other alloys. They are expected to remain in the atmosphere from 5 to 15 days. The way they deposit in the local area will depend on the local wind and rain. Where it ends upĬobalt and its compounds are expected to act like other particles in the atmosphere. Because of its short life expectancy in the atmosphere cobalt and or cobalt compounds is expected to be confined to the local area within which it is emitted. Industrial emissions of cobalt and or cobalt compounds can produce elevated, but still low level concentrations in the atmosphere around the source. Cobalt will bioaccumulate or concentrate in the tissues of fish. Cobalt and its compounds are highly persistent in water and the environment. There is not sufficient data to determine the acute or chronic toxicity of cobalt and its compounds on plants, birds or land animals. It also has high chronic (long-term) toxicity on aquatic life. There is no guideline for cobalt and compounds in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.Ĭobalt and its salts have high acute (short-term) toxicity on aquatic life. Maximum eight hour time weighted average (TWA): 0.1 mg/m 3.Maximum eight hour time weighted average (TWA): 0.05 mg/m 3.Make sure you understand how to interpret the standards before you use them. These standards are only appropriate for use in workplaces and are not limited to any specific industry or operation. Safe Work Australia sets the workplace exposure standards for cobalt and compounds through the workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants. Consumers can be exposed to cobalt and its compounds by exposure to air from production and processing facilities using cobalt and its compounds. Workers in the industries that use or produce cobalt and its compounds (coal mining, hard metal industries, cobalt dye painting, and ore processing and chemical manufacturing) are at risk of higher exposure. Cobalt can also be absorbed through the skin. ExposureĮveryone is exposed to low levels of cobalt in the air, water and food we eat. These small amounts are essential for good health. Small amounts occur naturally in food, water, and the air (from soil which has become dust). Entering the bodyĬobalt and cobalt products will enter the body if we breathe in contaminated air, drink contaminated water, or eat food containing cobalt. Repeated exposures can cause scarring of the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis) which may not be noticed without a chest x-ray. Cobalt can damage the heart, causing heart failure. Exposure to cobalt salts may cause skin problems, and may damage the kidneys and cause lung damage. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies cobalt as a 'possible human carcinogen'. Exposure to cobalt may cause lung effects, which include respiratory irritation, coughing, asthma, pulmonary oedema, and pneumonia. It is part of vitamin B-12, and may be used in the treatment of anaemia. Australia's cobalt and compounds emission reportĬobalt has both beneficial and harmful effects on humans.The National Pollutant Inventory ( NPI) holds data for all sources of cobalt and compounds emissions in Australia. Compounds that are soluble in water are cobalt nitrate and cobalt sulfate. Compounds that are not soluble in water are cobalt carbonate and cobalt oxide. Pure cobalt does not dissolve in water, but will dissolve (or react) with acids. Specific Gravity: 8.92 Chemical properties Melting Point: Cobalt metal: about 1495☌īoiling Point: Cobalt metal: 2870 to 3100☌ Synonyms: Cobalt compounds: Cobalt carbonate, cobalt chloride, cobalt oxide, cobalt sulfate, cobalt nitrate Physical propertiesĬobalt metal is an odourless shiny, silvery metal, when first exposed to air. ![]() Cobalt sulfate is used in electroplating, in batteries, as a drying agent in inks and varnishes, in enamels, and ceramics, and as a feed and fertilizer additive. Cobalt oxide is used in pigments for ceramics and glass, in fast drying paints and varnishes, in semiconductors, in enamel coatings on steel, and again as an animal feed additive in trace amounts. Cobalt chloride is used as a humidity and water indicator, in electroplating, in the manufacture of vitamin B-12, as a fertilizer and feed additive in trace amounts. Cobalt carbonate is used in ceramics and as an animal feed supplement in trace amounts. Cobalt is also used to make artificial body parts such as hip and knee joints. It is also used to help paint dry quickly. The largest use of cobalt metal is to make alloys, which retain strength even when very hot. ![]() Cobalt is a component of vitamin B-12, which is required for good health. Small amounts of it are found in most rocks, soil, water, plants, and animals. Cobalt is a metal that occurs naturally in many different forms. ![]()
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