Safety data sheet reference · CAS 7440-48-4
Cobalt SDS
also: cobalt MSDS · safety data sheet · Co · CAS 7440-48-4 · EC 231-158-0
Official PDF from supplier
This page is a reference, not the legal document.
CAS number
7440-48-4
EC number
231-158-0
CLP Annex VI index
027-001-00-9
Molecular formula
Co
§ 02 · Hazards identification
Cobalt harmonised EU classification
CLP Annex VI · Index 027-001-00-9. A supplier SDS may add self-classified hazards — this is the legal minimum.
Precautionary statements
Codes ending in a colon introduce the action that follows — on a label they are printed as combined statements, such as P305+P351+P338.
§ 03 · Composition and identifiers
Cobalt structure
Cobalt is a chemical element, not a compound. The identifiers below describe the atom itself; there is no bond framework between different atoms for us to draw.
Identifiers from PubChem (NIH, public domain).
§ 04 · First-aid measures
Cobalt first aid measures
Call your national emergency number first. These are published first-aid measures, not medical advice, and they do not replace emergency services, a poison control centre or the supplier's safety data sheet.
§4–§6 below reproduce the CAMEO Chemicals entry COBALT. CAMEO publishes response data per product entry, so the entry can describe a solution, a refrigerated liquid or a molten form rather than the pure substance in §9 — check it matches what you are handling.
EYES
First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.
SKIN
IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment.
INHALATION
IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.
INGESTION
Some heavy metals are VERY TOXIC POISONS, especially if their salts are very soluble in water (e.g., lead, chromium, mercury, bismuth, osmium, and arsenic). IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center and locate activated charcoal, egg whites, or milk in case the medical advisor recommends administering one of them. Also locate Ipecac syrup or a glass of salt water in case the medical advisor recommends inducing vomiting. Usually, this is NOT RECOMMENDED outside of a physician's care. If advice from a physician is not readily available and the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give the victim a glass of activated charcoal slurry in water or, if this is not available, a glass of milk, or beaten egg whites and IMMEDIATELY transport victim to a hospital. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, assure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital.
Source: NTP, 1992 — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain.
§ 05 · Fire-fighting measures
Cobalt fire fighting measures
ERG 2024 · GUIDE 133 Flammable SolidsERG guidance is written per response guide, not per substance — Guide 133 covers every material assigned to it, so a few sentences reference other UN numbers in the same group.
Fire and explosion hazard
Literature sources indicate that the dust of this chemical is flammable.
Extinguishing media and tactics
Fires involving this material can be controlled with a dry chemical, carbon dioxide or Halon extinguisher. Dry sand, dry dolomite or dry graphite powder may also be used.
Source: NTP, 1992 — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain. Entry: COBALT.
§ 06 · Accidental release measures
Cobalt spill and leak response
Containment and clean-up
SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGEIf you spill this chemical, you should dampen the solid spill material with water, then transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with water to pick up any remaining material. Seal your contaminated clothing and the absorbent paper in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Wash all contaminated surfaces with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.
STORAGE PRECAUTIONSYou should store this material under ambient temperatures and away from acids and oxidizing materials.
Initial isolation and evacuation
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASUREIsolate spill or leak area for at least 25 meters (75 feet) in all directions.
LARGE SPILLConsider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).
FIREIf tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions.
Source: NTP, 1992 — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain. Entry: COBALT.
§ 07 · Handling and storage
Cobalt computed storage compatibility
Derived from CLP Annex VI classification and CAMEO reactive-group data — not copied from a PDF.
⚠ Known Catalytic Activity⚠ Pyrophoric
⛔ Never store with
↔ Keep separate
Full interactive verdict — reactions, gas release on contact, ADR forms →
§ 08 · Exposure controls
Cobalt exposure limits (IDLH)
IDLH
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health
20 mg Co/m3
The limit is expressed as Co, not as the mass of cobalt itself.
IDLH from the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (CDC, U.S. public domain), via CAMEO Chemicals. Occupational exposure limits — OSHA PEL, NIOSH REL and EU IOELV — are not published on this page yet.
§ 09 · Physical and chemical properties
Cobalt physical properties
Source: CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA, public domain); per-value source references stored in the database.
§ 10 · Stability and reactivity
Reactive group (CAMEO/NOAA): Metals, Elemental and Powder, Active. Our database documents 52 incompatible and 12 caution reaction-partner groups for cobalt — including which combinations release gas on contact. See the per-partner breakdown with gas release →
52
Incompatible
12
Caution
§ 13 · Disposal considerations
Dispose of waste and residues in accordance with local and national regulations — in the EU under the Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC. Never discharge to drains or municipal waste; hand contaminated packaging and unused product to an authorised waste-disposal company. The supplier's SDS section 13 lists the applicable waste codes for the specific product.
MSDS vs SDS
Cobalt MSDS vs SDS: is there a difference?
MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) is the older name for the same document. In the US, OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (2012) adopted the GHS-standardised 16-section Safety Data Sheet; in the EU the format is set by REACH Annex II. So a "cobalt MSDS" and a "cobalt SDS" refer to the same document — today it is issued as an SDS. Full breakdown of the differences →
Other reactive metals in our database
Substance profile
What cobalt is
Physical and chemical properties with the conditions each value was measured under, synonyms, formula and the harmonised CLP classification →
Compliance hub
From classification to SDS
The classification above corresponds to Section 2 of a Safety Data Sheet. Learn how a compliant 16-section SDS is structured and authored →
GHS label maker
Build the label for cobalt
Pictograms, signal word and H-statements combined into a compliant label layout →
§ 16 · Sources
- Classification: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP), Annex VI
- Transport: UN ADR 2025 (UNECE), Table A
- Reactivity: NOAA CAMEO Chemicals reactive-group matrix (public domain)
- Physical properties: CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA, public domain) — per-value source references stored in the database
- Emergency response (§4–§6): ERG 2024 (PHMSA) · NIOSH Pocket Guide (CDC) · CHRIS (USCG) · NTP · EPA — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), all US federal public domain, reproduced verbatim
- Substance data: PubChem · ECHA
Reference aid only. This page summarises the harmonised EU classification and computed storage guidance — it is not a Safety Data Sheet and does not replace one. Always verify hazards, handling and storage against the supplier's SDS (sections 7 and 10) and local regulations before use. Page updated 2026-08-11.
Frequently asked questions about cobalt
Is an MSDS the same as an SDS?
In practice, yes. MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) is the older name for the same document. In the US, OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (2012) adopted the GHS-standardised 16-section Safety Data Sheet; in the EU the SDS format is set by REACH Annex II. A document you find labelled "cobalt MSDS" is today issued as an SDS.
What GHS pictograms does cobalt require?
Under the harmonised EU classification (CLP Annex VI), cobalt carries GHS08 with the signal word "Danger". Hazard statements: H350, H341, H360F, H334, H317, H413. A supplier's SDS may add self-classified hazards on top of this harmonised minimum.
What should cobalt never be stored with?
Based on its storage class (Reactive metals), cobalt must not share storage with: Mineral acids; Organic peroxides & self-reactives; Oxidizing acids; Oxidizers. Verify against the supplier's SDS sections 7 and 10 before finalising storage.
Where can I download an official cobalt SDS PDF?
From your own supplier — an SDS is issued per product and supplier, so the correct PDF for an inspection is the one matching the product you actually purchased. The supplier links on this page lead to the official SDS libraries of major distributors.
Call emergency services first
112 in the EU · 911 in the US. This screen is published response information, not medical advice, and it does not replace emergency services, a poison centre or the supplier's safety data sheet.
Text below is the CAMEO Chemicals entry COBALT — confirm it matches the form in front of you.
01 · First aid
What to do for the person
EYES
First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.
SKIN
IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment.
INHALATION
IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.
INGESTION
Some heavy metals are VERY TOXIC POISONS, especially if their salts are very soluble in water (e.g., lead, chromium, mercury, bismuth, osmium, and arsenic). IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center and locate activated charcoal, egg whites, or milk in case the medical advisor recommends administering one of them. Also locate Ipecac syrup or a glass of salt water in case the medical advisor recommends inducing vomiting. Usually, this is NOT RECOMMENDED outside of a physician's care. If advice from a physician is not readily available and the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give the victim a glass of activated charcoal slurry in water or, if this is not available, a glass of milk, or beaten egg whites and IMMEDIATELY transport victim to a hospital. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, assure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital.
02 · Fire
Extinguishing and tactics
Fire and explosion hazard
Literature sources indicate that the dust of this chemical is flammable.
Extinguishing media and tactics
Fires involving this material can be controlled with a dry chemical, carbon dioxide or Halon extinguisher. Dry sand, dry dolomite or dry graphite powder may also be used.
03 · Spill
Containment, isolation, evacuation
Containment and clean-up
SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGEIf you spill this chemical, you should dampen the solid spill material with water, then transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with water to pick up any remaining material. Seal your contaminated clothing and the absorbent paper in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Wash all contaminated surfaces with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.
STORAGE PRECAUTIONSYou should store this material under ambient temperatures and away from acids and oxidizing materials.
Initial isolation and evacuation
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASUREIsolate spill or leak area for at least 25 meters (75 feet) in all directions.
LARGE SPILLConsider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).
FIREIf tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions.
Sources: ERG 2024 (PHMSA) · NIOSH Pocket Guide (CDC) · CHRIS (USCG) · NTP · EPA — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain. Text reproduced verbatim.