Material Safety Data Sheet – Cobaltous Nitrate

Identification

Product Name: Cobaltous Nitrate
Chemical Formula: Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O
Chemical Name: Cobalt(II) nitrate hexahydrate
CAS Number: 10026-22-9
EC Number: 233-402-1
Recommended Use: Laboratory chemical, reagent, pigment, catalyst
Manufacturer Contact: Refer to supplier’s documentation for accurate contact details. Always keep supplier’s emergency number handy for workplace incidents.

Hazard Identification

Classification: Classified as hazardous under OSHA and EU regulations. Cobaltous nitrate can cause serious health effects. Chronic inhalation and skin contact make up key risks.
Label Elements: Danger symbol, “toxic if inhaled,” “causes skin irritation,” “may cause cancer,” “toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects.”
Hazard Statements: H302 (Harmful if swallowed), H315 (Causes skin irritation), H317 (May cause allergic skin reaction), H319 (Causes serious eye irritation), H334 (May cause allergy or asthma symptoms), H350 (May cause cancer), H410 (Very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects).
Precautionary Statements: Use personal protective equipment. Avoid breathing dust and fumes. Prevent environmental release. Follow safe handling instructions. Never eat, drink, or smoke around this material.

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Substance: Cobalt(II) nitrate hexahydrate
Synonyms: Cobaltous nitrate, nitric acid, cobalt(2+) salt, hexahydrate
Purity: Greater than 97% by weight
Impurities: Trace amounts of cobaltous oxides, nitrates from metal contaminants
Chemical Ingredients: Cobalt(II) nitrate (Co(NO₃)₂), hexahydrate form

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Get person to fresh air promptly. Seek immediate medical attention if respiratory symptoms like wheezing or coughing show up—especially with history of asthma or allergies.
Skin Contact: Rinse area with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing. See a doctor if irritation or rash develops.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Call a doctor quickly.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth without inducing vomiting. Give water only if conscious. Call poison center or healthcare provider without delay.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, or dry chemical powder. Avoid using carbon dioxide on large fires.
Hazards from Combustion: Material acts as an oxidizer, fueling fire. Will release toxic fumes including nitrogen oxides and cobalt oxides when burned.
Protective Equipment: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear.
Special Considerations: Move containers away from fire if safe. Always use caution, since runoff may pollute waterways and intensify fire hazards.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate the area, ventilate space, put on gloves, safety goggles, and protective clothing. Avoid breathing dust.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spill from entering drains, surface water, or soil.
Spill Containment: Sweep up carefully and place in suitable, clearly labeled container for proper disposal. Use only non-combustible tools. Clean area thoroughly to prevent residue build-up.

Handling and Storage

Handling: Always use in well-ventilated area or under fume hood. Wear proper safety gear—nitrile gloves, lab coat, safety goggles. Do not eat, drink, or smoke nearby. Wash hands after use.
Storage: Keep container tightly closed in a dry, cool, well-ventilated location. Store away from heat and direct sunlight. Don’t let oxidizing materials contact flammable or reducing agents. Separate from incompatible chemicals like ammonium salts and reducing agents.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL (Cobalt): 0.1 mg/m³, ACGIH TLV: 0.02 mg/m³ (inhalable fraction, as Co).
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation. Handle material in closed systems where possible.
Personal Protection: NIOSH-approved respirator, chemical goggles, face shield, hand protection (chemical-resistant gloves), and full lab coat. Routine hand and skin washing works best after any contact.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Reddish-purple crystals
Odor: Odorless
Melting Point: 55°C (131°F; hexahydrate)
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Solubility: Easily dissolves in water and alcohol
Density: 1.88 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure: Not volatile
pH (aqueous, 5%): Around 4.0-6.0
Flash Point: Not flammable
Oxidizing Properties: Strong oxidizer
Other Properties: Deliquescent, absorbs moisture from air

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions. Sensitive to air and moisture; may lose water to form lower hydrates.
Reactivity: Reacts with strong acids, reducing agents, and organics.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Can break down to produce toxic fumes of cobalt oxides and nitrogen oxides.
Conditions to Avoid: High temperature, open flame, physical shock, incompatible materials.

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Harmful by inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption. Short exposure leads to headaches, nausea, or allergic reactions—especially for people with asthma.
Chronic Toxicity: Repeated or lengthy exposure links to increased risk of asthma, skin sensitization, and cancer. Cobalt compounds appear on lists of carcinogens (IARC Group 2B; possibly carcinogenic to humans).
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin, eye, ingestion
Health Effects: May cause dermatitis, skin sensitization, damage to lungs and thyroid. Accumulation over time can stress heart and kidneys.
Symptoms: Redness, coughing, shortness of breath, rash, asthma-like symptoms

Ecological Information

Toxicity to Aquatic Life: Highly toxic to fish, aquatic invertebrates, and algae. Cobalt ions spread quickly in water; persist for long periods in sediment.
Persistence and Degradability: Not easily biodegradable. Builds up in aquatic environments and soil.
Bioaccumulation Potential: Cobalt accumulates in plants and animals. Can move up food chain.
Mobility in Soil: Mobile in moist soil and water. Risky for groundwater pollution if handled carelessly.
Additional Notes: Environmental regulations require waste and wash water control. Always minimize release into environment.

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Treat cobaltous nitrate as hazardous waste. Collect in sealed containers. Dispose at approved hazardous waste facility.
Waste Codes: Some jurisdictions list cobalt compounds as D-listed hazardous waste.
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse containers, collect rinse water as hazardous waste. Only send off clean, dry, decontaminated packaging for recycling or regular disposal.
Safe Practices: Use chemical waste collection systems. Never pour down the drain or discard with general trash.

Transport Information

UN Number: 1477
UN Proper Shipping Name: Nitrates, inorganic, n.o.s. (contains Cobaltous Nitrate)
Transport Hazard Class: 5.1 (Oxidizer)
Packing Group: III
Transport Labels: Oxidizer; toxic if inhaled; environmental hazard
Special Transport Precautions: Use approved containers, separate from flammable or combustible substances. Mark and document shipments according to international, federal, and local rules.

Regulatory Information

OSHA: Listed as hazardous substance. Occupational exposure standards enforceable.
TSCA: Listed in the Toxic Substances Control Act inventory.
SARA Title III: Covered under Section 313 (Cobalt compounds); release reporting required.
California Proposition 65: Listed as known to cause cancer.
EU Regulations: Classified under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 as hazardous, requires hazard pictograms and statements.
Other: Observe local, state, union, and federal policies when handling, storing, or disposing.