Product Name: Cobalt Borate
Chemical Formula: Co3(BO3)2
Other Names: Cobalt(II) borate, tricobalt(II) bis(borate)
CAS Number: 14040-19-4
Use: Used for ceramics, pigments, catalysis, research, and in glass manufacturing
Manufacturer Contact: Emergency support numbers listed on packaging, consult supplier for specific regional numbers
Recommended Use Restrictions: Only trained personnel should handle for industrial or laboratory use
Hazard Class: Acute toxicity (inhalation, oral), Skin irritation, Eye irritation, Specific target organ toxicity
Signal Word: Warning
Pictogram: Exclamation mark, Health hazard symbol
Hazard Statements: Toxic if swallowed or inhaled; may cause skin and eye irritation; risk of harm to organs through repeated exposure; long-term inhalation may damage lungs, liver, or kidneys
Route of Entry: Inhalation, ingestion, skin absorption, eye contact
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust; wash thoroughly after handling; do not eat, drink, or smoke when using product; avoid release to environment
Chemical Name: Cobalt Borate
Component: Cobalt, Boron, Oxygen
Purity: ≥98% (typical for research and industrial grade)
Other Ingredients: None intentionally added; trace impurities for industrial grade may include other metal oxides (less than 0.5%)
CAS Number: 14040-19-4 (Cobalt Borate as the main component)
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air immediately; loosen tight clothing; watch for breathing difficulties; seek medical advice if symptoms develop or persist
Skin Contact: Remove affected clothing and rinse skin with water for at least 15 minutes; use soap if available; seek medical help if irritation develops
Eye Contact: Flush eyes gently with water for 15-20 minutes, lifting eyelids occasionally; remove contact lenses if present and easy to do; seek medical care
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly; do not induce vomiting; do not give anything by mouth to an unconscious person; seek immediate medical advice
Important Symptoms: Prolonged coughing, red skin, itchy or burning eyes, nausea, headache, weakness, metallic taste
Flammability: Not flammable under normal conditions; can emit toxic fumes if involved in fire
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical powder, foam, carbon dioxide, sand; water spray for larger fires
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Cobalt oxide fumes, boron oxide fumes, and other metal oxides possible
Specific Firefighting Methods: Avoid breathing dust or fumes; move containers from fire area if safe; wear full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus
Special Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant suit and gloves, positive pressure SCBA, eye protection
Personal Precautions: Avoid contact with material; isolate spill area; keep untrained personnel away
Protective Equipment: NIOSH-approved respirators for dust, chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, disposable coveralls if available
Clean-Up Methods: Avoid generating dust; sweep or scoop into dry, labeled containers; use low-pressure vacuum with HEPA filter if possible; ventilate area
Environmental Precautions: Prevent release to drains, soil, or waterways; notify authorities if large spills threaten natural resources
Waste Disposal: Dispose collected material following hazardous waste regulations
Safe Handling: Work in well-ventilated areas, under fume hood if possible; avoid generating airborne dust; do not handle without gloves and goggles; keep away from food, drink, and animal feed
Storage Requirements: Store in tightly sealed, labeled containers; keep in cool, dry place; avoid storing with strong acids, oxidizers, or foodstuffs
Incompatibilities: Acids, oxidizing agents; exposure to moisture can degrade product and cause clumping
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and face thoroughly after use; remove contaminated clothing before eating; use dedicated tools for handling
Exposure Limit Values: ACGIH TLV for cobalt compounds: 0.02 mg/m³ (TWA, inhalable); OSHA PEL for cobalt metal dust: 0.1 mg/m³ (TWA)
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, fume hood, and enclosed handling systems
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Safety goggles, nitrile or neoprene gloves, laboratory coat or coveralls, NIOSH-approved dust respirator when dust is present
Occupational Hygiene: No eating, drinking, or smoking in work area; keep work areas clean; monitor airborne concentrations regularly
Appearance: Fine violet or grayish-purple crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless
Melting Point: Decomposes before melting
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water; more soluble in acids
pH: Not applicable (insoluble in water)
Density: 4.2 to 4.5 g/cm³ (approximate, varies by preparation method)
Vapor Pressure: Negligible
Molecular Weight: 298.6 g/mol
Other Properties: Not volatile, stable at room temperature, fine particulate material may cause lingering dust in enclosed spaces
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal temperature and dry conditions; prolonged exposure to humidity may cause hydrolysis
Hazardous Reactions: Reacts with acids to produce toxic gases such as hydrogen borate and cobalt ions
Incompatibility: Avoid strong acids, strong oxidizers, ammonium salts; contact with moisture can degrade material
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Cobalt oxide, boron oxides, possible release of toxic metal and acidic vapors under fire
Polymerization: Does not polymerize
Acute Toxicity: Harmful by inhalation, ingestion, or through skin absorption; cobalt compounds associated with respiratory irritation, GI upset, and dermatitis
Chronic Toxicity: Long-term exposure may result in lung sensitization, fibrosis, potential carcinogenicity; cobalt listed as possible carcinogen by IARC
Inhalation Effects: Cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath; risk increases with poor ventilation or repeated exposure
Oral Effects: Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, metallic taste; systemic effects possible after chronic exposure
Skin/Eye Effects: Causes irritation, redness, itching, possible allergic reaction in sensitized individuals
Sensitization: Some individuals may develop allergic reactions, especially after repeated or prolonged exposure
Target Organs: Respiratory system, skin, liver, kidneys
Aquatic Toxicity: Toxic to aquatic life; cobalt can accumulate and impact fish, invertebrates, and algae
Persistence and Degradability: Inorganic compound, not subject to biodegradation; remains in environment for long periods
Bioaccumulation: Cobalt may bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms; boron can also persist in soil and water
Soil Mobility: Low mobility due to insolubility, but fine particles may spread with erosion
Other Adverse Effects: Harm to microorganism communities cannot be ruled out if large spills reach sewage or natural water
Disposal Methods: Treat as hazardous waste per local and national regulations; incineration or landfill at permitted facilities only
Container Disposal: Clean containers thoroughly; label and dispose through approved hazardous container recycling programs
Do Not: Do not flush into drains, waterways, or sewers; avoid mixing with other chemical waste
Waste Code: Use hazardous waste codes assigned for cobalt compounds and inorganic chemicals where appropriate
UN Number: Not classified as dangerous goods by most international transport standards (verify for specific application)
Shipping Name: Cobalt compound, inorganic, solid, n.o.s. (not otherwise specified)
Transport Hazard Class: Not regulated in small laboratory amounts, but bulk quantities may need hazard identification
Packing Group: Not applicable in most cases
Transport Precautions: Use sealed, labeled containers; protect from release and breakage; avoid contact with incompatible materials; refer to carrier guidelines for hazardous chemicals
Workplace Regulations: Listed under OSHA, ACGIH, NIOSH for cobalt compounds; use controls to minimize exposure
Environmental Regulations: Cobalt classified as hazardous substance under certain US EPA and international laws
TSCA Status: On the US Toxic Substances Control Act list; check country-specific registration for use, import, export
Labeling: Hazardous substance symbol, hazard statements, precautionary advice, and first aid must appear on packaging
Risk Assessment: Required for bulk handling, transport, and disposal; follow local and national legislation on workplace safety and environmental protection
