# NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Cobalt metal dust and fume (as Co) | CAS 7440-48-4
Co | RTECS GF8750000
Synonyms & Trade Names Cobalt metal dust, Cobalt metal fume | DOT ID & Guide
Exposure Limits | NIOSH REL: TWA 0.05 mg/m3
OSHA PEL†: TWA 0.1 mg/m3
IDLH 20 mg/m3 (as Co) | Conversion
Physical Description Odorless, silver-gray to black solid.
MW: 58.9 | BP: 5612°F | MLT: 2719°F | Sol: Insoluble
VP: 0 mmHg (approx) | IP: NA |  | Sp.Gr: 8.92
Fl.P: NA | UEL: NA | LEL: NA |
Noncombustible Solid in bulk form, but finely divided dust will burn at high temperatures.
Incompatibilities & Reactivities Strong oxidizers, ammonium nitrate
Measurement Methods NIOSH 7027, 7300; OSHA ID121, ID125G, ID213
Personal Protection & Sanitation Skin: Prevent skin contact Eyes: No recommendation Wash skin: When contaminated Remove: When wet or contaminated Change: Daily | First Aid (See procedures) Eye: Irrigate immediately Skin: Soap wash Breathing: Respiratory support Swallow: Medical attention immediately
Respirator Recommendations NIOSH Up to 0.25 mg/m3: (APF = 5) Any dust and mist respirator^ Up to 0.5 mg/m3: (APF = 10) Any dust and mist respirator except single-use and quarter-mask respirators*^/(APF = 10) Any dust, mist, and fume respirator*/(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator* Up to 1.25 mg/m3: (APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode*/(APF = 25) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a dust and mist filter*^/(APF = 25) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a dust, mist, and fume filter* Up to 2.5 mg/m3: (APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter/(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece/(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece Up to 20 mg/m3: (APF = 2000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions: (APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode/(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus Escape: (APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter/Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
Exposure Routes inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms Cough, dyspnea (breathing difficulty), wheezing, decreased pulmonary function; weight loss; dermatitis; diffuse nodular fibrosis; respiratory hypersensitivity, asthma
Target Organs Skin, respiratory system
See also: INTRODUCTION