Knowledge
Material Safety Data Sheet: Cobalt Chloride Dihydrate
Identification
Product Name: Cobalt(II) chloride dihydrate
Synonyms: Cobaltous chloride dihydrate, Cobalt dichloride dihydrate
CAS Number: 7791-13-1
Molecular Formula: CoCl2·2H2O
Molecular Weight: 165.87 g/mol
Recommended Use: Used in chemical research, humidity indicator cards, and laboratory reagents
Manufacturer/Supplier: (Contact your local supplier for details)
Emergency Contact: (Insert 24-hour emergency phone number, typically your regional poison center or supplier’s emergency line)
Hazard Identification
Emergency Overview: Pink to purple crystalline solid with potential to become hazardous if mishandled; causes irritation to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; suspected cancer hazard; may damage fertility and unborn child; harmful if swallowed or inhaled
GHS Classification: Acute Toxicity (Oral) Category 4, Skin Sensitization Category 1, Carcinogenicity Category 1B, Reproductive Toxicity Category 1B, Specific Target Organ Toxicity (Repeated Exposure) Category 2, Eye Irritation Category 2A, Aquatic Acute and Chronic Toxicity Category 1
Label Elements: Signal word: Danger; Hazard pictograms: Health Hazard, Exclamation Mark, Environment
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed; May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled; May cause cancer by inhalation; Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child; Causes skin and eye irritation; Very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust or fumes; Wear protective gloves, clothing, and eye protection; Wash thoroughly after handling; Do not eat, drink, or smoke while using; Avoid release to the environment; Obtain special instructions before use; If exposed or concerned, seek medical advice
Composition / Information on Ingredients
Chemical Name: Cobalt(II) chloride dihydrate
CAS Number: 7791-13-1
Concentration: 99–100%
Impurities/Additives: No significant impurities contributing to hazard known
Other Components: None
First Aid Measures
Inhalation: Remove individual to fresh air; seek medical attention if breathing is difficult or cough persists; administer oxygen where qualified
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; wash affected areas with soap and water for at least 15 minutes; if rash or irritation develops, get medical attention
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, lifting eyelids occasionally; seek medical attention if irritation persists
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly; do not induce vomiting unless instructed by medical personnel; seek immediate medical advice
Most Important Symptoms: Irritation, rash, allergic reactions, coughing, possible asthma symptoms, gastrointestinal discomfort
Note to Physician: Treat symptomatically; monitor for delayed symptoms
Fire-Fighting Measures
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide for small fires
Specific Hazards: Thermal decomposition may release toxic fumes of chlorine and cobalt oxides; cobalt compounds can form hazardous residues
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus, full protective gear; avoid inhalation of combustion products
Firefighting Procedures: Move containers from fire area if safe; keep containers cool using water spray; avoid contamination of water sources
Special Hazards Arising from Chemical: Some materials may react violently with oxidizers; toxic vapor/gas clouds possible in enclosed spaces
Accidental Release Measures
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel; avoid breathing dust; use respiratory protection if dust is present; avoid contact with skin and eyes; ventilate area
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spillage from reaching waterways, drains, or soil; contain spill using sand or earth; avoid contamination of the environment due to aquatic toxicity
Cleanup Methods: Collect material with shovel or dustpan; place in appropriate labeled waste container; wash spill site with water after material pickup is complete; avoid raising dust
Handling and Storage
Safe Handling Practices: Minimize dust generation; use only with adequate ventilation; do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling; wear protective equipment including gloves and goggles
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed, clearly labeled, corrosion-resistant containers; store locked up in cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible chemicals (such as strong acids and bases)
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, strong acids, strong bases; avoid moisture which may promote decomposition
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands before breaks, and after work; remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse
Exposure Controls and Personal Protection
Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL 0.1 mg/m3 (as cobalt, TWA), ACGIH TLV 0.02 mg/m3 (as cobalt, TWA)
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation or process enclosures to minimize airborne exposure; keep workplace dust as low as possible
Personal Protective Equipment: Eye/face protection – Chemical safety goggles; respiratory protection – NIOSH-approved respirator for particulates if exposure limits exceeded; hand protection – Impermeable gloves; skin/body protection – Laboratory coat or protective clothing
Other Protective Measures: Provide eyewash stations and emergency showers in handling area
Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance: Pink to purple crystalline solid
Odor: Odorless
Odor Threshold: Not applicable
pH: 4.0–5.0 (0.1 M solution)
Melting Point: 86°C (with decomposition; loses water at higher temperature)
Boiling Point: Not applicable (decomposes)
Flash Point: Not flammable
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Flammability: Not flammable
Vapor Pressure: Not significant
Vapor Density: Not applicable
Relative Density: 1.92 g/cm3
Solubility: Soluble in water (about 50 g/100 mL at 20°C), ethanol
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not available
Autoignition Temperature: Not applicable
Decomposition Temperature: Above 86°C
Viscosity: Not applicable
Other: Hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from air)
Stability and Reactivity
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended handling and storage conditions; decomposes in moisture and at higher temperature
Conditions to Avoid: Excess humidity, heat, incompatible substances such as acids and oxidizing agents
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, alkali metals, alkalis
Hazardous Decomposition Products: May release chlorine gas, cobalt oxides on heating or in case of fire
Polymerization: Will not occur under normal conditions
Toxicological Information
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 691 mg/kg; Inhalation may cause irritation and cough at low levels
Skin/Irritation: Harmful in contact with skin; sensitizer — can cause allergic dermatitis on repeated exposure
Eye Contact: Causes eye irritation, redness or pain
Chronic Effects: Long-term exposure linked with risk of cancer, reproductive toxicity, respiratory sensitization, and potential effects on heart and thyroid
Carcinogenicity: Classified IARC Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans); NTP: Reasonably anticipated human carcinogen
Reproductive/Developmental: Suspected hazard based on animal studies
Target Organs: Heart, thyroid, respiratory system, skin
Sensitization: May cause asthma-like symptoms and allergic skin reactions
Ecological Information
Ecotoxicity: Very toxic to aquatic organisms; long-lasting effects expected in the aquatic environment; LC50 (fish, 96 hr): 14 mg/L (Lepomis macrochirus); EC50 (daphnia, 48 hr): 0.3 mg/L
Mobility: Readily soluble; can migrate through soil and contaminate groundwater
Persistence and Degradability: Inorganic compound, not biodegraded; persists in sediment and water
Bioaccumulative Potential: Cobalt ions can bioaccumulate in aquatic life
Other Adverse Effects: Releases of significant quantities can damage aquatic food chains and disrupt ecosystems
Disposal Considerations
Disposal Methods: Dispose of in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations; hazardous waste; do not dispose to drains or surface water; consult qualified waste disposal professionals
Packaging Disposal: Empty containers may contain residue and require appropriate handling; triple rinse containers before disposal or recycle where possible
Precautions: Gather spills and residues for disposal in sealed, labeled containers; avoid environmental release; users bear responsibility for safe disposal methods
Transport Information
UN Number: UN 3288
UN Proper Shipping Name: Toxic Solid, Inorganic, N.O.S. (contains Cobalt Chloride Dihydrate)
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: III
Environmental Hazards: Marine pollutant due to high aquatic toxicity
Special Precautions: Transport in well-sealed containers; follow national and international regulations for hazardous materials; ensure labeling and documentation are complete; keep away from food and feedstuffs during transport
Regulatory Information
OSHA: Hazardous Chemical as defined by OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
TSCA: Listed in the U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory
SARA Title III: Reportable under Sections 302/313 as an extremely hazardous substance
RCRA: Classified as hazardous waste; specific codes may apply
California Proposition 65: Listed as a chemical known to cause cancer and reproductive toxicity
Europe (REACH): Subject to SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) provisions; strict controls in place for production and use
Other: Restrictions and reporting requirements may apply in many countries due to toxicity, carcinogenicity, and environmental risks; always consult current regulations before procurement, storage, transport, or disposal
