Material Safety Data Sheet: Cobaltous Acetate

Identification

Product Name: Cobaltous Acetate
Synonyms: Cobalt(II) acetate, cobalt(2+) diacetate, cobaltous monoacetate, cobaltous diacetate
Chemical Formula: Co(CH₃COO)₂·4H₂O
CAS Number: 6147-53-1
EC Number: 204-833-1
Use: Reagent, catalyst, pigment manufacturing, laboratory chemical
Supplier: Information available on request from purchasing department
Contact details for emergencies: Local emergency services or supplier’s dedicated safety hotline

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), Skin sensitization, Carcinogenicity, Specific organ toxicity
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Toxic if swallowed, may cause allergic skin reaction, suspected of causing cancer, causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, health hazard, exclamation mark
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust or fumes, wear protective gloves, wash hands thoroughly after handling, obtain special instructions before use, do not eat, drink, or smoke during use

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Substance: Cobaltous Acetate Tetrahydrate
Chemical Identity: Cobalt(II) acetate, 99% purity
CAS Number: 6147-53-1
EC Number: 204-833-1
Impurities: Minimal; contact supplier for detailed impurity profile

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move the affected person to fresh air immediately, keep them at rest, seek medical attention if symptoms such as coughing or difficulty breathing persist
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin with soap and water, seek medical advice if skin irritation or rash develops
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes while keeping eyelids open, remove contacts if present and easy to do, consult a medical professional as soon as possible
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth with water if conscious, seek immediate medical help as cobalt compounds are acutely toxic
Immediate Medical Attention: Critical in cases of significant ingestion or persistent symptoms

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide, water spray for larger fires
Specific Hazards: Toxic fumes of cobalt oxides and acetic acid may be released during combustion
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Self-contained breathing apparatus, full protective clothing
Advice for Firefighters: Approach from upwind, remove containers from area if safe, contain fire water to avoid environmental contamination

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear protective clothing including gloves, safety goggles, and dust mask; avoid breathing dust
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further release or spillage, do not allow to enter drains, surface water, or soil
Cleanup Methods: Carefully collect spilled material using appropriate tools, minimize dust, place in appropriate, labeled containers for disposal, ventilate area thoroughly after cleanup
Decontamination: Wash contaminated surfaces with plenty of water, dispose of cleaning water according to local regulations

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling: Handle within a chemical fume hood, keep container closed when not in use, use proper extraction systems to control dust exposure; avoid skin, eye, and respiratory contact
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong oxidizers
Conditions for Safe Storage: Store in a tightly sealed container, in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight and incompatible materials
Storage Class: Toxic substances, keep segregated from food and drink, maintain access to safety showers and eyewash stations nearby

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limit: OSHA PEL: 0.1 mg/m³ (as cobalt), ACGIH TLV: 0.02 mg/m³ (as cobalt, respirable fraction)
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, closed working systems, process enclosures
Personal Protection Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile recommended), safety goggles or face shield, laboratory coat or protective suit, certified respirator in situations of aerosol or dust exposure
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and face thoroughly after handling, no eating or drinking in working area, remove and wash contaminated clothing before reuse

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Reddish-purple, granular or crystalline solid
Odor: Slight acetic smell
Odor Threshold: Not established
pH: Slightly acidic in aqueous solution
Melting Point: Decomposes before melting
Boiling Point: Not applicable (decomposes)
Vapor Pressure: Not available
Solubility in Water: Soluble
Density: Approx. 1.7 g/cm³ (tetrahydrate)
Partition Coefficient: Not determined
Flash Point: Not applicable
Autoignition Temperature: Not self-igniting
Upper/Lower Flammability Limits: Not determined
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under standard storage and handling conditions
Possibility of Hazardous Reactions: May react vigorously with strong acids and oxidizing agents, releases toxic and irritating fumes on decomposition
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, open flames, moisture exposure
Materials to Avoid: Strong acids, oxidants, some metals, and reducing agents
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Cobalt oxides, acetic acid vapors, carbon oxides

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin, eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD₅₀ (rat): approx. 400 mg/kg
Chronic Toxicity: Classified as carcinogenic by IARC (Group 2B), prolonged or repeated exposure linked to respiratory irritation, skin sensitization, and lung effects
Sensitization: Can trigger allergic skin reactions in susceptible individuals
Symptoms of Exposure: Sore throat, cough, eye and skin redness, headache, gastrointestinal upset, dermatitis
Medical Conditions Aggravated by Exposure: Asthma, allergies, skin conditions
Other Effects: Potential heart and thyroid effects with ongoing exposure

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to aquatic life, toxic to many freshwater and marine organisms
Persistence and Degradability: Not quickly biodegradable, metal ions persist in environment
Bioaccumulation: Cobalt compounds may bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms
Mobility in Soil: Moderately mobile, can leach to groundwater under some environmental conditions
Other Adverse Effects: Large quantities can disrupt aquatic ecosystems, toxicity escalates through food chain

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal Methods: Collect material in tightly capped containers, label properly for hazardous waste, dispose of in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations; do not dispose of in regular trash, drains, or environment
Disposal of Packaging: Rinse thoroughly, treat as hazardous unless clean, consult waste contractor for safe disposal
Special Precautions: Waste producers carry responsibility for correct classification, transport, and disposal, keep full documentation of waste amounts and disposal routes for compliance and environmental protection

Transport Information

UN Number: 3288
UN Proper Shipping Name: Toxic Solid, Inorganic, N.O.S. (Cobaltous Acetate)
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: III
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Environmental Hazards: Substance harmful to water bodies and aquatic life during transit
Special Transport Precautions: Secure containers to prevent leakage, mark shipments correctly with hazard labels, retain documentation for regulatory checks, emergency action codes available in shipping documents

Regulatory Information

Labeling: Covered under global GHS, OSHA Hazard Communication Standard in the US, WHMIS in Canada, CLP Regulation in the EU
Inventory Listings: Listed on TSCA (US), EINECS (EU), DSL (Canada), AICS (Australia), ENCS (Japan)
Worker Protection: Exposure limits enforced by OSHA, ACGIH, and equivalent regulatory bodies worldwide
Carcinogenicity Status: Recognized by IARC, NTP, and EU as potentially carcinogenic
Restrictions/Regulations: Use in consumer products heavily regulated or prohibited, product use as laboratory reagent or catalyst must comply with strict workplace controls
Other Requirements: Safety data sheets must be provided to all recipients, emergency plans required in workplaces handling over threshold quantities