Cobalt(II) Chloride
Product Stewardship Summary
December 2012
CoCl2
Chemical Name:
Chemical Category (if applicable):
Synonyms:
CAS Number:
CAS Name:
Cobalt(II) chloride
Inorganic chemical
Cobalt dichloride; Cobalt muriate; Cobaltous chloride; CoCl 2
7646-79-9 (anhydrous) and 7791-13-1 (hexahydrate; CoCl2·6H2O)
Cobalt chloride
EC (EINECS) Number:
Other identifier (Please specify):
231-589-4
GPS0069

Cobalt(II) chloride (CoCl2) is used in organic synthesis and electroplating objects with cobalt
metal. It is also used in invisible ink, humidity indicators, glass and porcelain painting,
production of vitamin B12, as an additive to fertilizers and feed, and an absorbent for poisonous
gases and ammonia.

Exposure can occur at either a CoCl2 manufacturing facility or at other manufacturing,
packaging or storage facilities that handle CoCl2. Persons involved in maintenance, sampling
and testing activities, or in the loading and unloading of CoCl2 packages are at risk of exposure,
but worker exposure can be controlled with the use of proper general mechanical ventilation and
personal protective equipment. Occupational exposure limits for CoCl2 have been established
for use in worksite safety programs. When CoCl2 is used as a component of consumer products,
users should follow manufacturer’s use and/or label instructions. Please see the MSDS for
additional information.

CoCl2 is a nonflammable solid that is stable under normal conditions. The anhydrous form is
sky blue in color and will turn pink when exposed to air or moisture. The hexahydrate form is
purple in color. CoCl2 reacts with moisture or water to form an acidic solution. CoCl2 will
react with oxidants and could generate fire and explosion hazard. Decomposition in fire will
result in irritating or toxic fumes (or gases).

CoCl2 can be absorbed into the body by ingestion and by inhalation of its aerosol. CoCl2 is
toxic upon ingestion, and is highly irritating to the eyes.

Repeated or prolonged skin contact with CoCl2 may cause irritation and allergic contact
dermatitis. Repeated or prolonged inhalation exposure may cause breathing difficulties and
asthma. Chronic ingestion of CoCl2 may result in toxic effects of the heart, thyroid and bone
marrow. CoCl2 may cause toxic effects to human reproduction based on results of experimental
This product stewardship summary is intended to give general information about the chemical or categories of chemicals addressed.
It is not intended to provide an in-depth discussion of all health and safety information. Additional information on the chemical is
available through the applicable Material Safety Data Sheet which should be consulted before use of the chemical. The product
stewardship summary does not supplant or replace required regulatory and/or legal communication documents. Statements
concerning use of our products are made without warranty that any such use is free of patent infringement and are not
recommendations to infringe any patent.
animal tests in which CoCl2 impaired fertility. CoCl2 is considered genotoxic based on positive
results of both in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity assays.

CoCl2 is possibly carcinogenic to humans.

CoCl2 is soluble in water and is toxic to aquatic organisms, such as fish, invertebrates and algae.
Contamination of waterways with CoCl2 may result in long-term adverse effects in the aquatic
environment. However, bioaccumulation and biomagnification potentials of cobalt in aquatic
ecosystems are expected to be low.

Please contact us for more information. Additional information may also be found at the
following links:
IPCS, INCHEM, ICSC: 0783 – Cobalt(II) chloride, 2004
IPCS, INCHEM, UKPID Monograph – Cobalt chloride, 1998
Initial Targeted Assessment Profile, Canada, SIAM 31, October 2010
Screening Assessment for the Challenge, Canada, 2011
IARC Monographs, Vol. 52, 1991 and IARC Monographs, Vol. 86, 2006
ATSDR Toxicological Profile for Cobalt, 2004
Version 1.0
Current Issue Date: December 2012
Document Number: GPS0069
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