ContaminantDB: Cobalt

Identification Taxonomy Biological Properties Physical Properties Toxicity Profile Spectra Concentrations Links References Targets (38)XML

Record Information

Version

1.0

Creation Date

2009-03-06 18:57:59 UTC

Update Date

2026-05-14 19:43:21 UTC

Accession Number

CHEM000045

Identification

Common Name

Cobalt

Class

Small Molecule

Description

Cobalt has a molecular weight of 58.9 and an atomic number of 27. In the Periodic Table, close to other transition metals, it is situated in group 8, together with rhodium and iridium and it can occur in four oxidation states (0, +2, +3 and +4). The +2 and the ground state are the most common. Cobalt occurs in the minerals cobaltite (Co, Fe) AsS, smaltite (CoAs2), and erythrite Co3(AsO4)2.8H2O, and is often associated with nickel, silver, lead, copper, and iron ores, from which it is most frequently obtained as a by-product. Depending on the considered species, cobalt has multiple industrial applications including the production of alloys and hard metal, diamond polishing, drying agents, pigments and catalysts. Hard metal or cemented carbide is a powder metallurgical product consisting of hard, wear-resistant carbide particles bound together (cemented) with a ductile metal binder (i.e. metallic Co) by liquid phase sintering. Tungsten carbide (WC) is produced by mixing tungsten powder with pure carbon powder at high temperature; hereafter WC is mixed with Co powder to which paraffin is added as a binder. Depending on specific requirements related to their use, hard metals might additionally contain small quantities of chromium, niobium, molybdenum, titanium, tantalum or vanadium carbides. Inhalation and skin contact are the main occupational exposure routes. Occupational exposure to cobalt may result in adverse health effects in different organs or tissues, including the respiratory tract, the skin, the hemapoietic tissues, the myocardium or the thyroid gland. In addition, teratogenic and carcinogenic effects have been observed in experimental systems and/or in humans. For the general population, the diet constitutes the main route of exposure to cobalt, since it is an essential component of Vitamin B12 (hydroxycolalamin). Cobalt functions as a co-factor in enzyme catalysed reactions and is involved in the production of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the formation of erythrocytes. This last property of cobalt was applied in the past as a therapy for anaemia. The carcinogenic potential of cobalt and its compounds was evaluated in 1991 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which concluded that there was inadequate evidence for carcinogenicity in humans (lung cancer) but sufficient evidence in experimental animal studies. In most experimental studies considered, the routes of exposure were, however, of questionable relevance for cancer risk assessment in humans for example, local sarcomas after intra-muscular injection. The general conclusion was that cobalt and its compounds are possibly carcinogenic to humans (group 2B). Since this evaluation, additional data have been accumulated which generally indicate that, depending on the considered cobalt species, different outcomes regarding toxicity, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity can be observed. Physiologically, it exists as an ion in the body. Co(II) ions are genotoxic in vitro and in vivo, and carcinogenic in rodents. Co metal is genotoxic in vitro. Hard metal dust, of which occupational exposure is linked to an increased lung cancer risk, is proven to be genotoxic in vitro and in vivo. Possibly, production of active oxygen species and/or DNA repair inhibition are mechanisms involved. Given the recently provided proof for in vitro and in vivo genotoxic potential of hard metal dust, the mechanistic evidence of elevated production of active oxygen species and the epidemiological data on increased cancer risk, it may be advisable to consider the possibility of a new evaluation by IARC.(3).

Contaminant Sources

Clean Air Act Chemicals
FooDB Chemicals
HMDB Contaminants - Urine
HPV EPA Chemicals
IARC Carcinogens General
IARC Carcinogens Group 2B
OECD HPV Chemicals
T3DB toxins
Tobacco Smoke Compounds

Contaminant Type

Cigarette Toxin
Cobalt Compound
Food Toxin
Household Toxin
Human Neurotoxin
Industrial/Workplace Toxin
Inorganic Compound
Metabolite
Metal
Natural Compound
Pollutant

Chemical Structure

MOL SDF PDB SMILES InChI

Synonyms

Value	Source
Co(II)	ChEBI
CO2+	ChEBI
Co(2+)	ChEBI
COBALT (II) ion	ChEBI
Cobalt(2+) ion	ChEBI
Cobalt(II) cation	ChEBI
Cobaltous ion	ChEBI
Cobalt(2+)	Kegg
Aquacat	HMDB
Co	HMDB
Cobalt-59	HMDB
Cobatope-57	HMDB
Kobalt	HMDB
Super cobalt	HMDB

Chemical Formula

Average Molecular Mass

58.933 g/mol

Monoisotopic Mass

58.933 g/mol

CAS Registry Number

7440-48-4

IUPAC Name

lambda2-cobalt(2+) ion

Traditional Name

lambda2-cobalt(2+) ion

SMILES

[Co++]

InChI Identifier

InChI=1S/Co/q+2

InChI Key

XLJKHNWPARRRJB-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Chemical Taxonomy

Description

belongs to the class of inorganic compounds known as homogeneous transition metal compounds. These are inorganic compounds containing only metal atoms,with the largest atom being a transition metal atom.

Kingdom

Inorganic compounds

Super Class

Homogeneous metal compounds

Class

Homogeneous transition metal compounds

Sub Class

Not Available

Direct Parent

Homogeneous transition metal compounds

Alternative Parents

Not Available

Substituents

Homogeneous transition metal

Molecular Framework

Not Available

External Descriptors

monoatomic dication (CHEBI:48828 )
divalent metal cation (CHEBI:48828 )
cobalt cation (CHEBI:48828 )
a cation (CO+2 )

Biological Properties

Status

Detected and Not Quantified

Origin

Exogenous

Cellular Locations

Cytoplasm
Extracellular

Biofluid Locations

Not Available

Tissue Locations

Kidney
Skin

Pathways

Not Available

Applications

Not Available

Biological Roles

micronutrient

Chemical Roles

Not Available

Physical Properties

State

Solid

Appearance

Grey metallic solid.

Experimental Properties

Property	Value
Melting Point	1495°C
Boiling Point	3100°C (5612°F)
Solubility	Not Available

Predicted Properties

Property	Value	Source
logP	0.23	ChemAxon
pKa (Strongest Acidic)	3.09	ChemAxon
Physiological Charge	2	ChemAxon
Hydrogen Acceptor Count	0	ChemAxon
Hydrogen Donor Count	0	ChemAxon
Polar Surface Area	0 Å²	ChemAxon
Rotatable Bond Count	0	ChemAxon
Refractivity	0 m³·mol⁻¹	ChemAxon
Polarizability	1.78 Å³	ChemAxon
Number of Rings	0	ChemAxon
Bioavailability	1	ChemAxon
Rule of Five	Yes	ChemAxon
Ghose Filter	No	ChemAxon
Veber's Rule	Yes	ChemAxon
MDDR-like Rule	No	ChemAxon

Spectra

Spectrum Type	Description	Splash Key	View
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Positive	splash10-0a4i-9000000000-5ec55e9e276ff34b918f	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Positive	splash10-0a4i-9000000000-5ec55e9e276ff34b918f	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Positive	splash10-0a4i-9000000000-5ec55e9e276ff34b918f	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Negative	splash10-0a4i-9000000000-c4eed668d3af388c4a95	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Negative	splash10-0a4i-9000000000-c4eed668d3af388c4a95	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Negative	splash10-0a4i-9000000000-c4eed668d3af388c4a95	Spectrum

Toxicity Profile

Route of Exposure

Inhalation (8) ; oral (8) ; dermal (8)

Mechanism of Toxicity

Cobalt is believed to exhibit its toxicity through a oxidant-based and free radical-based processes. It produces oxygen radicals and may be oxidized to ionic cobalt, causing increased lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, and inducing certain enzymes that lead to cell apoptosis. Cobalt has also been shown to block inorganic calcium channels, possibly impairing neurotransmission. Cobalt can also chelate lipoic acids, impairing oxidation of pyruvate or fatty acids. In addition, cobalt may inhibit DNA repair by interacting with zinc finger DNA repair proteins, and has also been shown to inhibit heme synthesis and glucose metabolism. Cobalt may activate specific helper T-lymphocyte cells and interact directly with immunologic proteins, such as antibodies (IgA and IgE) or Fc receptors, resulting in immunosensitization. (8)

Metabolism

Cobalt is absorbed though the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and skin. Since it is a component of the vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin), it is distributed to most tissues of the body. It is transported in the blood, often bound to albumin, with the highest levels being found in the liver and kidney. Cobalt is excreted mainly in the urine and faeces. (8)

Toxicity Values

LD50: 6170 mg/kg (Oral, Rat) (14) LD50: 100 mg/kg (Intraperitoneal, Rat) (14)

Lethal Dose

1 to 2 mg/m3 for an adult human. (12)

Carcinogenicity (IARC Classification)

Cobalt metal with tungsten carbide: 2A, probably carcinogenic to humans. Cobalt metal without tungsten carbide: 2B, posiibly carcinogenic to humans. (11)

Uses/Sources

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.

Minimum Risk Level

Chronic Inhalation: 0.0001 mg/m3 (10) Intermediate Oral: 0.01 mg/kg/day (10)

Health Effects

Exposure to high amount of cobalt can cause heart, lung, kidney, and liver damage. Skin contact is known to result in contact dermatitis. Cobalt may also have mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. (8, 9)

Symptoms

Cobalt inhalation can cause asthma-like breathing problems. Skin contact is known to result in contact dermatitis, which is characterized by irritation and rashes. Ingesting large amounts of cobalt may cause nausea and vomiting. (13)

Treatment

Treatment of cobalt poisoning is symptomatic. (8)

Concentrations

Not Available

External Links

DrugBank ID

Not Available

HMDB ID

HMDB0000608

FooDB ID

FDB003581

Phenol Explorer ID