COBALT METAL, DUST & FUME (as Co) | OSHA.gov | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

COBALT METAL, DUST & FUME (as Co)†

Chemical Identification
CAS #	7440-48-4
Formula	Co
Synonyms	cobalt metal dust; cobalt metal fume; cobalt metal powder; elemental cobalt

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
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]	Mixed cellulose ester filter (MCEF) 0.8 micron (37 mm) and filter spacer with Na₂CO₃ impregnated backup pad, in a 3-piece cassette [SKC 225-9001]
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. Smaller filters recommended for sampling inside welding hoods.	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.

Bulk/Wipe Method
Wipe Sampler/Sampling media	Wipe with Whatman smear tab. [WHA1450993]
Bulk Method	Available

On-Site Screening Techniques
Device
Model/Type
Sampling information (see manufacturer instructions)

**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

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 : 06/20/2023

Group Sampling Information
Sampling Media	Sampling Time (If there are exceptions they will be in Notes)	TWA Sampling Volume (If there are exceptions they will be in Notes)	TWA Flow Rate (If there are exceptions they will be in Notes)
mixed cellulose ester filter (MCEF)	240-480 min	480-960 L	2 L/min

Analytes Sampling Information
Analytes	IMIS Code	Wipe Sampling	Incompatibilities
Iron*	I200	Yes, with a Ghost Wipe
Vanadium*	V125	Yes, with a Ghost Wipe
Zinc*	Z100	Yes, with a Ghost Wipe
Chromium, Metal & Insoluble salts (as Cr)**	0685	Yes, with a Ghost Wipe	Hexavalent Chromium
Cobalt, Metal, Dust & Fume (as Co)	0720	Yes, with a Ghost Wipe	Tungsten
Copper Dust & Mists (as Cu)	0730	Yes, with a Ghost Wipe
Copper Fume (as Cu)	0731	Yes, with a Ghost Wipe
Iron Oxide Fume	1520	Yes, with a Ghost Wipe
Manganese, Compounds & Fume (as Mn)***	1620	Yes, with a Ghost Wipe
Molybdenum, Dust & Insoluble compounds, (as Mo)	1790	Yes, with a Ghost Wipe
Nickel, Metal, & Insoluble compounds (as Ni)	1840	Yes, with a Ghost Wipe
Vanadium, Respirable Dust & Fume	2571	Yes, with a Ghost Wipe
Zinc Oxide Fume	2610	Contact SLTC for information

Notes

Request any or all of these analytes together. Entire group can be requested with analyte code 2587.

Results for unrequested analytes in this group will be reported if significant amount are found.

There is no need to contact SLTC before sampling.

This analysis can be pre-analyzed gravimetrically if collected on a pre-weighted PVC filter obtained from SLTC.

*These 3 codes are used for bulk sample results in place of their metal oxides.

**Please note that this is NOT hexavalent chromium.

***For Manganese STEL take only a 10-30 L sample.

COBALT METAL, DUST & FUME (as Co)†

Chemical Identification

Physical Properties

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA

Bulk/Wipe Method

On-Site Screening Techniques

Exposure Limits

Additional Resources and Literature References