Cobalt

CAS ID#: 7440-48-4

Affected Organ Systems: Cancer, Dermal (Skin), Hematological (Blood Forming), Hepatic (Liver), Respiratory (From the Nose to the Lungs)

Cancer Classification: Please contact NTP, IARC, or EPA with questions on cancer and cancer classification.

Chemical Classification: Inorganic substances, Radionuclides (radioactive materials)

Summary: Cobalt is a naturally occurring element found in rocks, soil, water, plants, and animals. Cobalt is used to produce alloys used in the manufacture of aircraft engines, magnets, grinding and cutting tools, artificial hip and knee joints. Cobalt compounds are also used to color glass, ceramics and paints, and used as a drier for porcelain enamel and paints. Radioactive cobalt is used for commercial and medical purposes. ⁶⁰Co (read as cobalt sixty) is used for sterilizing medical equipment and consumer products, radiation therapy for treating cancer patients, manufacturing plastics, and irradiating food. ⁵⁷Co is used in medical and scientific research. It takes about 5.27 years for half of ⁶⁰Co to give off its radiation and about 272 days for ⁵⁷Co; this is called the half-life.

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Page last reviewed: February 10, 2021

Content source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry