Material Safety Data Sheet: Cobalt Chloride

Identification

Product Name: Cobalt(II) Chloride
Chemical Formula: CoCl₂ (anhydrous); CoCl₂ · 6H₂O (hexahydrate)
Synonyms: Cobaltous chloride, Cobalt dichloride
CAS Number: 7646-79-9 (anhydrous); 7791-13-1 (hexahydrate)
Recommended Use: Laboratory reagent, humidity indicator, catalyst applications
Supplier Details: Manufacturer address and contact number required on packaging for compliance with local and international regulations
Emergency Contact: Available through national poison centers and local emergency services

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Acute toxicity—oral (Category 3), Skin sensitizer (Category 1), Eye irritation (Category 2A), Carcinogenicity (Category 1B), Specific target organ toxicity—repeated exposure (Category 2), Aquatic chronic (Category 1)
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, health hazard, exclamation mark, aquatic toxicity
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Toxic if swallowed; suspected of causing genetic defects; may cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties; causes serious eye irritation; may cause an allergic skin reaction; may cause cancer by inhalation; very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects
Precautionary Statements: Avoid all unnecessary exposure; wear protective gloves and eyewear; use respiratory protection when necessary; do not eat, drink, or smoke when handling; prevent dispersion into the environment

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Cobalt(II) Chloride Hexahydrate
CAS Number: 7791-13-1
EC Number: 231-589-4
Concentration: Typically 98–100% for laboratory-grade reagent
Impurities: Trace metal ions, may vary depending on source—check certificate of analysis for batch specifics

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move to fresh air without delay, provide oxygen if breathing is difficult, monitor for respiratory symptoms; seek immediate medical attention for persistent cough, wheezing, or chest tightness.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash affected area with soap and water for at least 15 minutes; seek medical attention if irritation or rash appears.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes, lifting eyelids occasionally; seek urgent ophthalmological evaluation if redness or pain persists.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth but do not induce vomiting unless instructed by poison control professionals; offer water to conscious person; consult physician without delay
Symptoms: May include headache, nausea, rash, breathing difficulty, loss of coordination, chronic exposure may result in pulmonary, cardiac, or thyroid effects

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, foam, dry chemical powder, or carbon dioxide depending on the surrounding fire; avoid water jets directly on product powder
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Do not use strong water stream as it may disperse material
Hazardous Combustion Products: Cobalt oxides, hydrogen chloride fumes
Specific Hazards: Product does not burn; heated material may produce toxic and corrosive fumes
Protective Equipment: Firefighters use self-contained breathing apparatus, chemical apron, gloves, and complete skin protection

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, face shield, and respirators when dealing with dust or powder spills; avoid contact with skin and eyes
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry to watercourses, drains, or soil to reduce risk to aquatic life; notify authorities in case of significant environmental contamination
Cleanup Methods: Sweep up spillage with care to avoid generating dust, use non-sparking tools, ventilate area thoroughly, collect in dry containers for proper disposal
Decontamination: Wash area with plenty of water after all material is collected; ventilate for air quality

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling: Limit exposure by using containment, avoid breathing dust or fumes, perform tasks in well-ventilated fume hoods where possible, wash hands after handling, do not eat or drink in work area
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers, keep in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location away from acids, oxidizing agents, and foodstuffs
Compatible Materials: Use only containers made of glass, polypropylene, or compatible metal-free materials to avoid reactions and contamination
Special Guidance: Apply warning labels on storage units; train employees in safe material transfer and spill containment

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 0.1 mg/m³ (as cobalt), ACGIH TLV: 0.02 mg/m³ (TWA, inhalable fraction)
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, general dilution ventilation in workspaces, closed processes for bulk transfer
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), laboratory coat, safety goggles or face shield, respiratory protection in high-dust conditions (NIOSH-approved respirator with P100 filters)
Hygiene Measures: Remove contaminated clothing, wash thoroughly before breaks and after work, regular medical surveillance for frequent handlers

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Purple-pink solid (hexahydrate), blue solid (anhydrous); forms crystals or powder
Odor: Odorless
pH: Approximately 3–5 (for 50 g/L solution at 20°C)
Melting Point: 86°C (hexahydrate, loses water); 735°C (anhydrous)
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Solubility: Freely soluble in water, ethanol, slightly soluble in acetone
Density: 1.924 g/cm³ (hexahydrate); 3.36 g/cm³ (anhydrous)
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Other Properties: Hygroscopic, darkens on exposure to air

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable in original, sealed containers under ambient conditions.
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to moisture, strong oxidizing or reducing agents, acids
Incompatible Materials: Reactive metals, peroxides, strong acids, alkalis; releases hydrogen chloride with acids
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Cobalt oxides, chlorine, hydrogen chloride gas
Polymerization: Will not undergo hazardous polymerization

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: LD₅₀ (oral, rat): 766 mg/kg; main effects include severe irritation of gastrointestinal tract, vomiting, diarrhea
Inhalation: Irritation to nasal passages, lungs; cough, bronchitis may occur with chronic exposure
Skin Contact: Risk of skin sensitization, itching, redness, potential for eczema on repeated exposure
Eye Contact: Possible irritation, redness, pain
Chronic Exposure: Risk factors include asthma, skin allergies, potential cancer risk as classified by IARC and EU
Carcinogenicity: Classified as Group 2B carcinogen by IARC — possibly carcinogenic to humans based on animal data
Other Effects: May affect thyroid, heart, lungs, especially after long-term, repeated exposure

Ecological Information

Toxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic organisms, including fish (LC₅₀ (96 h): 0.5 mg/L for fish species); bioaccumulation reported in aquatic environments
Persistence and Degradability: Not readily biodegradable; persists as a heavy metal salt
Bioaccumulative Potential: Potential for bioaccumulation in aquatic life and in soil
Mobility in Soil: Moderate, may leach to groundwater depending on environmental conditions
Other Negative Effects: Discharges to waterways should be strictly controlled; cobalt may alter growth, reproduction in sensitive aquatic populations

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Collect waste in clearly labeled, sealed containers; avoid mixing with general laboratory waste
Disposal: Hand over to licensed hazardous chemical disposal company; comply with local, state, federal waste laws
Environmental Precautions: Never dispose of in drains, water courses, or open environment
Container Disposal: Rinse and triple-wash empty containers, remove or deface labels, dispose through authorized chemical waste handler

Transport Information

UN Number: 3288
UN Proper Shipping Name: Toxic solid, inorganic, n.o.s. (contains cobalt chloride)
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: III
Labels: Toxic
Special Precautions: Separate from food and feedstuffs, transport only in sealed and clearly labeled packaging, observe all carrier rules for hazardous materials
Environmental Hazards: Not classed as marine pollutant but extreme caution near water bodies is encouraged

Regulatory Information

Regulatory Lists: Listed on US TSCA, EU REACH, Canadian DSL/NDSL, Japanese ENCS
OSHA Hazard Category: Regulated hazardous substance
EU Regulation: Classified as hazardous according to EC 1272/2008 (CLP/GHS)
SARA 313: Cobalt compounds subject to reporting requirements
Labeling: Hazard pictograms, signal word "Danger," relevant hazard and precautionary statements required on all containers
Workplace Controls: Employers hold responsibility for informing workers of risks, providing safety training, PPE, and access to MSDS at points of use