Common Name: Cobalt Naphthenate CAS Number: 61789-51-3 DOT Number: UN 2001 Date: February, 1989 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Cobalt Naphthenate can affect you when breathed in. * Breathing the dust or fumes can cause lung allergy (asthma) to develop. * Repeated exposures can cause lung scarring. * High exposure can damage the heart and/or cause a large thyroid (goiter). * Exposure can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs. Higher levels can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) a medical emergency. * Repeated exposure can cause a loss of the sense of smell. * Contact can cause a skin allergy to develop. * Consult the NJDOH Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet on Cobalt. IDENTIFICATION Cobalt Naphthenate is a brown powder or bluish-red solid. It is used in paint varnish and ink drier, and in bonding rubber to steel and other materials. REASON FOR CITATION * Cobalt Naphthenate is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by NFPA, DOT and ACGIH. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results from your employer. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. * If you think you are experiencing any work-related health problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS The following exposure limits are for Cobalt metal, fume and dust exposure (measured as Cobalt): OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 0.05 mg/m3 of Cobalt averaged over an 8-hour workshift. (Final Rule January 1989). ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.05 mg/m3 of Cobalt averaged over an 8-hour workshift. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Cobalt Naphthenate and at the end of the workshift. * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort, communicate all information on the health and safety hazards of Cobalt Naphthenate to potentially exposed workers. This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all potential and most severe health hazards that may result from exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential effects described below. ------------------------------------------ HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Cobalt Naphthenate: * Exposure can irritate the nose and throat. Higher levels can irritate the lungs, causing coughing and shortness of breath. Still higher levels can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency with severe shortness of breath. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Cobalt Naphthenate and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Cobalt Naphthenate has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals. Reproductive Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Cobalt Naphthenate has not been tested for its ability to affect reproduction. Other Long-Term Effects * Exposure can cause an asthma-like lung allergy to develop, with cough, wheezing, and/or shortness of breath. Effects occur soon after exposure and usually improve on weekends or holidays. Once allergy develops, even small future exposures can cause symptoms. * Permanent lung scarring with shortness of breath can occur after repeated exposure, as can loss of the sense of smell. * Skin contact can cause an allergic rash to develop. Once allergy develops, even small future exposures can cause rash and itching. * High or repeated exposures can damage the heart's ability to pump, causing shortness of breath. It can also cause an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter), and cause kidney damage. * Repeated lower exposures can affect the red blood cells (polycythemia), increase serum fat, and/or reduce ability to burn sugar from the diet. * This chemical has not been adequately evaluated to determine whether brain or other nerve damage could occur with repeated exposure. However, many solvents and other petroleum-based chemicals have been shown to cause such damage. Effects may include reduced memory and concentration, personality changes (withdrawal, irritability), fatigue, sleep disturbances, reduced coordination, and/or effects on nerves supplying internal organs (autonomic nerves) and/or nerves to the arms and legs (weakness, "pins and needles"). MEDICAL Medical Testing For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the TLV or greater), the following are recommended before beginning work and at regular times after that: * Lung function tests. * Chest x-ray (every 5 years) beginning 10 years after exposure. * Exam of the thyroid. * Interview for brain effects, including recent memory, mood (irritability, withdrawal), concentration, headaches, malaise and altered sleep patterns. Consider cerebellar, autonomic and peripheral nervous system evaluation. Positive and borderline individuals should be referred for neuropsychological testing. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Evaluation by a qualified allergist, including careful exposure history and special testing, may help diagnose skin allergy. * GTT and serum lipid studies (to check for blood sugar and fat changes). * CBC. * Exam of the cardiovascular system. * Kidney function tests. * Consider chest x-ray after acute over-exposure. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already done are not a substitute for controlling exposure. Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. Mixed Exposures * In some persons with an allergic skin rash resulting from exposure to Cobalt, sunlight makes the rash worse. * Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce your risk of developing health problems. WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary. In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. In addition, the following control is recommended: * Where possible, automatically transfer Cobalt Naphthenate from drums or other storage containers to process containers. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Cobalt Naphthenate should change into clean clothing promptly. * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members could be exposed. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Cobalt Naphthenate. * On skin contact with Cobalt Naphthenate, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Cobalt Naphthenate, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Cobalt Naphthenate is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. * Do not dry sweep for clean-up. Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean-up. * When vacuuming, a high efficiency particulate absolute (HEPA) filter should be used, not a standard shop vacuum. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be appropriate. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply to every situation. Clothing * Avoid skin contact with Cobalt Naphthenate. Wear protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/clothing material for your operation. * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. Eye Protection * Wear dustproof goggles when working with powders or dust, unless full face-piece respiratory protection is worn. Respiratory Protection IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. * Engineering controls must be effective to ensure that exposure to Cobalt Naphthenate does not occur. * Where the potential exists for exposure to Cobalt Naphthenate as measured as Cobalt above 0.05 mg/m3, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved respirator equipped with high efficiency particulate filters. * More protection is provided by a full facepiece respirator than by a half-mask respirator, and even greater protection is provided by a powered-air purifying respirator. Particulate filters must be checked every day before work for physical damage, such as rips or tears, and replaced as needed. * If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator, you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Cobalt Naphthenate, or in the case of a full face-piece respirator you experience eye irritation, leave the area immediately. Check to make sure t he respirator-to-face seal is still good. If it is, replace the filter, cartridge, or canister. If the seal is no longer good, you may need a new respirator. * Be sure to consider all potential exposures in your workplace. You may need a combination of filters, prefilters, cartridges, or canisters, to protect against different forms of a chemical (such as vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals. * Where the potential for higher exposures exists, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece operated in the positive pressure mode or with a full facepiece, hood, or helmet in the continuous flow mode. * Exposure to 20 mg/m3 of Cobalt is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposures above 20 mg/m3 of Cobalt exists use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in continuous flow or other positive pressure mode. Common Name: Cobalt Naphthenate DOT Number: UN 2001 DOT Emergency Guide code: 32 CAS Number: 61789-51-3 ---------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY - 2 REACTIVITY - 0 POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Cobalt Naphthenate is a combustible solid. * Use dry chemical, sand, water spray, or foam extinguishers. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Cobalt Naphthenate is spilled, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until cleanup is complete. * Remove all ignition sources. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Cobalt Naphthenate as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your regional office of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ========================================== HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Cobalt Naphthenate you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool well-ventilated area away from STRONG OXIDIZERS (such as CHLORINE, BROMINE, and FLUORINE). * Sources of ignition such as smoking and open flames are prohibited where Cobalt Naphthenate is used, handled, or stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard. FIRST AID Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and water. Breathing * Remove the person from exposure. * Begin rescue breathing if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. * Transfer promptly to a medical facility. * Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. PHYSICAL DATA Flash Point: 121oF (49.4oC) Water Solubility: Insoluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Naphthenic Acid, Cobalt Salt Other Names and Formulations: Cobaltous Naphthenate. ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Program CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Cobalt is a natural element present in certain ores of the earth's crust, and is essential to life in trace amounts. It exists in the form of various salts. Cobalt and its salts are used in nuclear medicine, enamels and semiconductors, grinding wheels, painting on glass and porcelain, hygrometers and electroplating; as a foam stabilizer in beer, in vitamin B12 manufacture, as a drier for lacquers, varnishes, and paints, and as a catalyst for organic chemical reactions. It may enter the environment from industrial and municipal discharges, or spills. ACUTE (SHORT-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with a toxic chemical substance. Cobalt and its salts have high acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short- term effects of cobalt and its salts to plants, birds, or land animals. CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior. Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic chemical. Cobalt and its salts have high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long- term effects of cobalt and its salts to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY The water solubility of cobalt and its salts range from highly soluble to practically insoluble. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Cobalt and its salts are highly persistent in water, with a half- life greater than 200 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in living organisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals and humans. The concentration of cobalt and its salts found in fish tissues is expected to be somewhat higher than the average concentration of cobalt in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.