Material Safety Data Sheet: Cobaltous Chloride

Identification

Product Name: Cobaltous Chloride
Other Names: Cobalt(II) chloride, Cobalt dichloride
Synonyms: Cobaltous dichloride, Cobalt chloride hexahydrate
Chemical Formula: CoCl₂, for hexahydrate CoCl₂·6H₂O
CAS Number: 7646-79-9 (anhydrous), 7791-13-1 (hexahydrate)
Recommended Use: Used in laboratory research, ceramics, dyes, humidity indicator, and electroplating
Manufacturer: Commonly found from major chemical suppliers
Emergency Contact: Refer to local chemical safety authority

Hazard Identification

Classification: Classified as harmful if swallowed, toxic by inhalation, carcinogenic category 1B, skin sensitizer, environmental hazard
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed or inhaled. Causes serious eye and skin irritation. May cause an allergic skin reaction. May cause genetic defects. May cause cancer by inhalation. Very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects.
Pictograms: Health hazard, exclamation mark, environment
Precautionary Statements: Wear protective gloves, use with adequate ventilation, avoid release to the environment, wash hands after handling, do not breathe dust or mist

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Substance: Cobaltous Chloride
Chemical Identity: CoCl₂ (Anhydrous or Hexahydrate forms, depending on grade)
CAS Number: 7646-79-9 (anhydrous), 7791-13-1 (hexahydrate)
EC Number: 231-589-4 (anhydrous), 231-589-4 (hexahydrate)
Percentage: Pure product typically over 98% concentration

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air. Get immediate medical attention if symptoms develop such as coughing, shortness of breath, or dizziness. Administer artificial respiration if breathing has stopped.
Skin Contact: Gently wash skin with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. Seek medical attention for persistent irritation or burns.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, holding eyelids open. Remove contact lenses. Call a doctor promptly.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly. Do not induce vomiting. Drink water if conscious. Contact poison control and seek medical attention right away.
Note to Physician: Treat symptomatically and monitor cobalt exposure for possible systemic effects.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, or foam. Water spray may be used to cool containers but not directly on product.
Hazardous Combustion Products: Yields toxic fumes of cobalt oxide and chloride gases in fire.
Advice for Firefighters: Wear full protective gear and approved self-contained breathing apparatus. Evacuate area if safe to do so.
Fire Hazard: Product itself does not readily burn but contact with certain metals or strong oxidizers may enhance fire risk. Do not breathe fire fumes.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel. Use dust mask, gloves, lab coat, and eye protection.
Environmental Precautions: Keep product out of drains and waterways. Prevent further spillage; avoid dust generation.
Methods for Cleanup: Scoop or sweep up solids into a suitable, labeled container for disposal. Ventilate area. Wash spill site after material pickup.
Other Information: Dispose contaminated clothing and decontaminate tools.

Handling and Storage

Handling: Operate in a well-ventilated area. Minimize dust generation and accumulation. Use appropriate personal protection. Clean up spills promptly.
Hygiene Measures: Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling. Wash thoroughly after use.
Storage: Store in tightly-closed containers, in a cool, dry, ventilated place. Isolate from incompatible substances including strong acids and oxidizers.
Incompatibilities: Keep away from strong oxidizing agents, acids, and reactive metals.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV: 0.02 mg/m³ (as cobalt); OSHA PEL: 0.1 mg/m³ (as cobalt, dust and fume)
Engineering Controls: Use fume hood or local exhaust ventilation. Maintain airborne concentrations below legal limits.
Personal Protection: Wear chemical safety goggles, nitrile gloves, lab coat or apron, and dust respirator if dust cannot be contained.
Environmental Controls: Prevent release to aquatic environment. Dispose of waste as required by local regulations.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Blue-purple to pink crystalline solid
Odor: Odorless
pH: Acidic aqueous solution
Melting Point: 86°C (hexahydrate decomposes), 735°C (anhydrous melts)
Boiling Point: 1049°C (anhydrous)
Solubility: Readily soluble in water, alcohol, acetone, slight in ether
Density: 3.36 g/cm³ (anhydrous); 1.92 g/cm³ (hexahydrate)
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Other: Deliquesces in moist air, turns blue on drying

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions in dry air. Moisture sensitivity can lead to caking.
Reactivity: Can react with strong acids to yield toxic gases. Incompatible with strong oxidizers.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Releases hydrogen chloride, cobalt oxide fumes at very high temperatures.
Conditions to Avoid: Excess heat, open flame, moisture, incompatible materials

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Harmful by ingestion and inhalation, can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and systemic poisoning.
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure may cause skin sensitization, respiratory effects, and has been linked to cancer in animal studies.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eye contact.
Carcinogenicity: IARC lists cobalt and its compounds as possibly carcinogenic (Group 2B).
Symptoms of Overexposure: Red skin rash, cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, cardiovascular effects, kidney damage at high doses.
Other Effects: Sensitization reactions, asthma, thyroid disturbances have been reported

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic life. Bioaccumulation potential in aquatic organisms.
Fate in Environment: Remains persistent in sediments and water. May migrate in ground and surface waters.
Ecology Data: LC₅₀ (Daphnia): 0.5–5 mg/L. Potential harmful effects on invertebrates and algae.
Other Adverse Effects: Hazardous to wildlife; chronic exposure may result in long-term ecological damage

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose of in accordance with local, regional, and national legislation.
Waste Disposal: Keep out of sewers and natural water supplies. Collect and send to approved hazardous waste facility.
Contaminated Packaging: Treat packaging as hazardous waste unless properly cleaned. Seek advice from competent authorities.
Precautions: Wear protective equipment during disposal operations

Transport Information

UN Number: UN 3288
UN Proper Shipping Name: Toxic Solid, Inorganic, N.O.S. (Cobaltous Chloride)
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: III
Labels Required: Toxic (skull and crossbones)
Special Provisions: Keep container tightly sealed and upright. Avoid mixing with food or feed during transport. Must be handled by trained personnel in accordance with relevant transport regulations

Regulatory Information

TSCA: Listed on the US Toxic Substances Control Act inventory.
EPCRA/SARA: Subject to reporting under SARA Title III, Section 313 (Toxic Chemicals).
REACH (EU): Registration required as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC).
OSHA: Classified as hazardous according to OSHA Hazard Communication Standard.
WHMIS (Canada): Controlled product, Class D2A (very toxic materials).
California Proposition 65: Contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer.
Other: Comply with all applicable local, state, and national regulations for handling this material