MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
QN CHEMGRADE COBALT
Date of issue: April 2002
Section 1. Identification
Classified as hazardous according to Worksafe Australia criteria
Trade Name QN Chemgrade Cobalt
Manufactured by
Queensland Nickel Pty Ltd
QNI Yabulu Refinery
PMB 5, Mail Centre Townsville,
Queensland, 4818, Australia
Tel +61 7 4720 6200
Fax +61 7 4720 6251
Information Contact
BHP Billiton Stainless Steel Materials Queensland Nickel Sales Pty Ltd
Level 14 Riverside Centre Level 14 Riverside Centre,
123 Eagle Street 123 Eagle Street
Brisbane, Queensland, 4000, Australia Brisbane, Queensland, 4000, Australia
Tel +61 7 3224 3400 Tel +61 7 3224 3400
Fax +61 7 3229 2398 Fax +61 7 3229 2398
Section 2. Composition and information on ingredients
Name CAS No. Composition (%)
12016-80-7
Cobalt Oxy Hydroxide 65
Water 10 - 20
7732-18-5
Cobalt Oxide 10
1308-06-1
513-79-1
Cobalt Hydroxy Carbonate <2
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Section 3. Health hazard identification
Acute Effects
Inhalation Rare cases of asthma have been reported in individuals exposed to some
forms of cobalt-containing particulates. Inhalation exposure to cobalt may
cause respiratory irritation and prolonged exposure could cause respiratory
illness.
Ingestion Not a normal route of entry. Low oral toxicity.
Skin May cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals following prolonged exposure.
Eye Particles may cause slight irritation from mechanical abrasion.
Chronic Effects
Inhalation Cobalt has not been classified as a known or suspected carcinogen by NTP.
ACGIH listed cobalt (and its inorganic compounds) as Category A3 ?br>
carcinogenic in experimental animals. Available epidemiological studies do not
confirm an increased risk of cancer in exposed humans.
IARC classified cobalt (and cobalt compounds) as Group 2B carcinogens ?br>
possibly carcinogenic to humans. This classification is applied when there is
inadequate evidence in humans and limited evidence in animals.
The European Union has classified cobalt sulphate and cobalt chloride as
category 2 carcinogens. In addition, both the sulphate and the chloride have
been classified as highly potent carcinogens with a concentration limit of 0.01%
(Commission Directive 98/98/EC of December 15, 1998). Cobalt sulphate and
cobalt chloride are not contained within QN Chemgrade Cobalt.
Section 4. First-aid measures
Inhalation If significant amounts are inhaled or in the case of an asthma attack, remove to
fresh air. If breathing does not improve, administer oxygen and contact a
physician.
Ingestion An unlikely route of entry.
Skin Remove contaminated clothing and wash affected areas. Launder clothing
before reuse.
Eye Irrigate with copious amounts of water.
Section 5. Fire-fighting measures
Non flammable. Fires in which the product is involved may be extinguished by any means consistent
with other products involved.
Section 6. Accidental release measures
Spills should be recovered in a careful manner to prevent dusting, use vacuuming or wet sweeping
as appropriate. Wear appropriate gloves and approved respirators while recovering spilled
material.
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Section 7. Handling and storage
Maintain contents in sealed containers when not in use. Do not store near oxidising agents and
acids. Use gloves to avoid prolonged skin contact if handling contents directly.
Under the Seveso Directive, quantities of cobalt oxide of 1,000 kg or more should be reported (EC
Directive 82/501 on control of major accident hazards, known as the Seveso Directive). Since QN
Chemgrade Cobalt is not capable of causing a major accident hazard this consent can be granted.
Section 8. Exposure controls and personal protection
Exposure Standards
Exposure Limits
ACGIH (USA) HSE (UK) NOHSC (Aus.)
TLV-TWA (mg/m 3) MEL (mg/m 3) TLV-TWA (mg/m 3)
Name Composition (%)
(wet basis)
Cobalt and its 57 - 60 0.02 (as Cobalt) 0.1 Not Available
inorganic
compounds
For other jurisdictions, please refer to the appropriate occupational exposure regulations.
Engineering Maintain the working environment below recommended exposure limits by
adequate ventilation or process enclosures.
Personal Protection Wear coveralls, safety glasses, leather or rubber gloves and if dust is
generated such that exposure is not maintained below recommended
exposure limits, nationally approved respiratory protection should be
used.
Section 9. Physical and chemical properties
Appearance Black, hydrated solid
Major Element Co - At. Wt. 58.9
Melting point/range Melting Point approximately 1800癈.
Boiling point/range not available
Flash point not applicable
Autoflammability not applicable
Explosive properties none
Oxidising properties none
Vapour pressure not applicable
Approximately 3.5 g/cm3 (dry solids)
Relative density
Solubility not soluble in water or oil
Partition coefficient not applicable
Odour none
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Section 10. Stability and reactivity
Stability Chemically stable.
Reactivity Incompatible with strong oxidising agents and acids.
Section 11. Toxicological information
Summary: Cobalt dust can produce various allergic reactions and exposure to the dust ?orally,
nasally, skin, eyes ?is to be avoided. The toxicity is low orally and is reported as >5000 mg/kg
Co3O4
Acute Effects
Inhalation Cobalt compounds are allergens and in some subjects, they can
produce nasal inflammation (rhinitis), asthma and possible
inflammation of the lung (allergic alveolitis).
Ingestion Not normal exposure route. Low oral toxicity (oral rat
LD50>5000mg/kg).
Skin May cause either contact dermatitis or skin irritation in sensitive
individuals following prolonged contact with the skin.
Chronic Effects
Cancer classifications are included in Section 3.
The NTP study (NTP TR 471) has shown there is evidence of
carcinogenic activity in rats and mice by inhalation of cobalt sulphate
heptahydrate. Cobalt sulphate is not contained within QN Chemgrade
Cobalt.
Cobalt has been implicated in the development of "Hard Metal
Disease" among workers in the manufacture of cemented carbides
and in the diamond polishing industry. Hard metal disease, as such,
appears to be confined to workers exposed to cobalt only when
associated with other materials such as tungsten carbide and other
metal carbides, diamond and iron. The effect has not been reported in
workers refining or using cobalt metal or its compounds.
Mutagenic and teratogenic effects (effect on cell mutation and
developing organisms) are weak for cobalt compounds.
Section 12. Ecological information
The environmental classification for cobalt has not been determined. Cobalt oxides are not soluble
in water.
Cobalt occurs naturally in soils at typical levels of 5-20 礸/g although higher levels are not
uncommon. The cobalt content of sea water varies from 0.01 to 4,6 礸/L, while the content of fresh
water has even greater variability from <0.1 to 10 礸/L, depending on local geology and human
activity.
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Section 13. Disposal considerations
Disposal is not recommended as recycling of the material is a cost effective alternative. Final
disposal, if unavoidable, must be in a registered solid waste disposal facility.
Section 14. Transport information
Transport in sealed containers poses no problems. Recommended container labeling is as follows:
Xn (Harmful)
R22, R43
S24, S37; S60, S61
Section 15. Regulatory information
Section 16. Other information
Pertinent literature
? Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices, American Conference of Governmental
Industrial Hygienists, 1992-1993.
? National Toxicology Program, Sixth Annual Report on Carcinogens, 1991.
? International Agency for Research on Cancer, Monograph on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic
Risks to Humans, Vol 49, 1990.
? Maximum Exposure Limit of the Health and Safety Executive in the U.K. - EH40/91.
? Cobalt Monographs ?CDI
Glossary
A.C.G.I.H. American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
E.E.C. European Economic Community
H.S.E. Health and Safety Executive
I.A.R.C. International Agency for Research on Cancer
LC50 Lethal Concentration 50; the concentration at which 50% of species
died
LD50 Lethal Dose 50; the dose at which 50% of species died
N.T.P. National Toxicology Program
O.S.H.A Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PEL Permissible Exposure Limit
TLV-TWA Threshold Limit Value - Time Weighted Average
Notice to Reader
Queensland Nickel Pty Ltd ("QNPL") as manager of the Queensland Nickel Joint Venture have exercised reasonable
care in the preparation of this information; however, QNPL, Queensland Nickel Sales Pty Ltd, and their affiliated
companies assume no responsibility as to the accuracy or suitability of such information for application to
purchaser's or end user's intended purposes or for the consequence of its use. Moreover, since regulatory standards
and guideline recommendations change from time to time, there is no assurance that hazard classifications,
exposure limits, and other regulatory requirements reflected in this MSDS will be current at the time the MSDS is
used. This document is updated on a regular basis and purchasers and end users are responsible for ensuring that
they have the most recent version.
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