GHS Classification Result

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GENERAL INFORMATION
Item Information
CAS RN 7440-48-4
Chemical Name Cobalt
Substance ID H27-B-052/C-088B_P
Classification year (FY) FY2015
Ministry who conducted the classification Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW)/Ministry of the Environment (MOE)
New/Revised Revised
Classification result in other fiscal year FY2014   FY2006  
Download of Excel format Excel file

REFERENCE INFORMATION
Item Information
Guidance used for the classification (External link) GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
UN GHS document (External link) UN GHS document
Definitions/Abbreviations (Excel file) Definitions/Abbreviations
Model Label by MHLW (External link) MHLW Website (in Japanese Only)
Model SDS by MHLW (External link) MHLW Website (in Japanese Only)
OECD/eChemPortal (External link) eChemPortal

PHYSICAL HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Pictogram
Signal word
Hazard statement
(code)
Precautionary statement
(code)
Rationale for the classification
1 Explosives Not applicable
-
-
- - There are no chemical groups associated with explosive properties present in the molecule.
2 Flammable gases (including chemically unstable gases) Not applicable
-
-
- - Solid (GHS definition).
3 Aerosols Not applicable
-
-
- - Not aerosol products.
4 Oxidizing gases Not applicable
-
-
- - Solid (GHS definition).
5 Gases under pressure Not applicable
-
-
- - Solid (GHS definition).
6 Flammable liquids Not applicable
-
-
- - Solid (GHS definition).
7 Flammable solids Classification not possible
-
-
- - No data available. Besides, it is described that finely dispersed particles are explosive in the air (ICSC (2004)). Furthermore, it is not limited to cobalt, but metal powder (flammable) (not otherwise specified) is classified in Division 4.1 PG II, III in UNRTDG (UN3089).
8 Self-reactive substances and mixtures Not applicable
-
-
- - There are no chemical groups present in the molecule associated with explosive or self-reactive properties.
9 Pyrophoric liquids Not applicable
-
-
- - Solid (GHS definition).
10 Pyrophoric solids Not classified
-
-
- - It is estimated that it does not ignite at normal temperatures from an autoignition temperature of 760 deg C (ATSDR (2004)).
11 Self-heating substances and mixtures Classification not possible
-
-
- - No data available.
12 Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases Not classified
-
-
- - It is estimated that it does not react vigorously with water from the observation result of being insoluble in water (GESTIS (Access on August 2015)).
13 Oxidizing liquids Not applicable
-
-
- - Solid (GHS definition).
14 Oxidizing solids Not applicable
-
-
- - It is inorganic substance not containing oxygen or halogen.
15 Organic peroxides Not applicable
-
-
- - It is inorganic substance.
16 Corrosive to metals Classification not possible
-
-
- - Test methods applicable to solid substances are not available.

HEALTH HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Pictogram
Signal word
Hazard statement
(code)
Precautionary statement
(code)
Rationale for the classification
1 Acute toxicity (Oral) Not classified
-
-
- - Based on an LD50 value of 6,171 mg/kg for rats (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.11 (Ministry of the Environment, 2013)), this substance was classified as "Not classified."
1 Acute toxicity (Dermal) Classification not possible
-
-
- - Classification not possible due to lack of data.
1 Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Gases) Not applicable
-
-
- - Solid (GHS definition)
1 Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Vapours) Not applicable
-
-
- - Solid (GHS definition)
1 Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Dusts and mists) Classification not possible
-
-
- - Classification not possible due to lack of data.
2 Skin corrosion/irritation Classification not possible
-
-
- - Classification not possible due to lack of data.
3 Serious eye damage/eye irritation Classification not possible
-
-
- - Classification not possible due to lack of data. Besides, there is a description that redness occurs when dust or fumes of this substance enters into the eyes (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol. 11 (Ministry of the Environment, 2013)).
4 Respiratory sensitization Category 1


Danger
H334 P304+P340
P342+P311
P261
P284
P501
This substance is classified as occupational sensitizers to the airway Group 1 by Japan Society for Occupational Health (JSOH) (Recommendation of Occupational Exposure Limits, 2015). From the above, it was classified in Category 1. Besides, this substance is classified as "Resp. Sens. 1 H334" in EU CLP classification (ECHA CL Inventory (Access on September 2015)).
4 Skin sensitization Category 1


Warning
H317 P302+P352
P333+P313
P362+P364
P261
P272
P280
P321
P501
This substance is classified as occupational skin sensitizers Group 1 by Japan Society for Occupational Health (JSOH) (Recommendation of Occupational Exposure Limits, 2015). From the above, it was classified in Category 1. Besides, this substance is classified as "Skin sens. 1 H317" in EU CLP classification (ECHA CL Inventory (Access on September 2015)).
5 Germ cell mutagenicity Classification not possible
-
-
- - The substance was classified as "Classification not possible" because it was not possible to classify a substance as "Not classified" according to the revised GHS classification guidance for the Japanese Government. As for in vivo, a micronucleus test with peripheral blood erythrocytes of mice exposed by inhalation was negative (NTP TR581 (2014)). As for in vitro, bacterial reverse mutation tests and a micronucleus test of human cultured lymphocytes were positive results in any case (DFGOT Vol. 23 (2007), IARC 86 (2006), NTP TR 581 (2014)).
6 Carcinogenicity Category 2


Warning
H351 P308+P313
P201
P202
P280
P405
P501
In epidemiological studies on workers engaged in hard metal production facilities in France, there are multiple reports that the risk of lung cancer mortality increased in groups exposed to hard metal dust containing this substance (cobalt) and tungsten carbide. On the other hand, there is a report of an excess risk of lung cancer also in a group exposed only to cobalt not containing tungsten carbide, but this includes the problems as follows: there is no description of exposure-response relationship; it was not adjusted by confounding factors such as concurrent exposure to other carcinogenic substances and smoking. There is also another report that no increase of the risk of lung cancer mortality at cobalt manufacturing factory was observed (IARC 86 (2006)). In the previous evaluation of this substance, IARC considered that the evidence of carcinogenicity in humans is not sufficient, but, for experimental animals, there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity including the experimental result that the formation of the sarcoma (mainly a rhabdomyosarcoma) in the local administration sites was observed as a result of observation 2 years after a single intramuscular injection to rats with 28 mg of metallic cobalt powder. Thus, IARC classified the carcinogenicity of cobalt and cobalt compounds in Group 2B (IARC Vol. 52 (1991)). Taking account of the background, in the reevaluation, metallic cobalt with tungsten carbide was classified in Group 2A, and metallic cobalt without tungsten carbide was classified in Group 2B (IARC 86 (2006)). Other than this, ACGIH classified cobalt (elemental and inorganic compounds) in A3 (ACGIH (7th, 2001)), and Japan Society for Occupational Health classified cobalt and cobalt compounds in 2B. From the above, it was classified in Category 2 for this hazard class according to the GHS classification guidance for the Japanese government.
7 Reproductive toxicity Classification not possible
-
-
- - Classification not possible due to lack of data. Besides, because reproductive toxicity effects used as the evidence for Category 2 in the previous classification were based on data on soluble cobalt compounds mainly composed of cobalt chloride, it was judged to be inadequate to use for classification.
8 Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure Category 3 (Respiratory tract irritation)


Warning
H335 P304+P340
P403+P233
P261
P271
P312
P405
P501
This substance is irritating to the respiratory tract (ATSDR (2004), Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol. 11 (Ministry of the Environment, 2013), OEL Documentations (Japan Society For Occupational Health (JSOH), 1992), IARC 86 (2006), PATTY (6th, 2012)). From the above, it was classified in Category 3 (respiratory tract irritation).
9 Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure Category 1 (respiratory organs, cardiovascular system, thyroid, haemal system)


Danger
H372 P260
P264
P270
P314
P501
In humans, it is described that in workers exposed to airborne cobalt during diamond polishing, the chief complaints of symptoms in the respiratory organs such as coughs, and adverse effects on lung function (significant decreases in the forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and maximal mid-expiratory flow rate (MMEF)) were observed as cases of high concentration exposure (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.11 (Ministry of the Environment, 2013), CICAD 69 (2006), ACGIH (7th, 2001)). It is described that as for workers in cobalt refineries, skin lesions (eczema, erythema), respiratory symptoms (dyspnea, wheezing, chronic bronchitis), decreased pulmonary function, anemia (decreases in red blood cell count, hemoglobin level, and hematocrit value), and effects on thyroid function (slightly low T3 values) were observed (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.11 (Ministry of the Environment, 2013), CICAD 69 (2006), ACGIH (7th, 2001)). Among the symptoms listed above, skin lesions were thought to be due to skin sensitization, therefore, these were judged to be findings out of scope of specific target organs.
As for experimental animals, in a 3-month test in which miniature swine were exposed to this substance by inhalation, lethargy, a drop in pulmonary compliance, thickening of the alveolar septa, abnormality of the electrocardiogram (drop in ventricular contraction, repolarization abnormality) were observed at or above 0.1 mg/m3 (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.11 (Ministry of the Environment, 2013), ACGIH (7th, 2001)).
From the above, it was classified in Category 1 (respiratory organs, cardiovascular system, thyroid, haemal system) for this hazard class based on data of exposure to this substance.
10 Aspiration hazard Classification not possible
-
-
- - Classification not possible due to lack of data.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Pictogram
Signal word
Hazard statement
(code)
Precautionary statement
(code)
Rationale for the classification
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Acute) Classification not possible
-
-
- - The classification is not possible because appropriate data are not obtained.
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Long-term) Classification not possible
-
-
- - The classification is not possible because appropriate data are not obtained.
12 Hazardous to the ozone layer Classification not possible
-
-
- - No data available.


NOTE:
* A blank or "-" in a cell of classification denotes that the classification of the hazard class was not conducted.
* Hazard_statement_and/or_Precautionary_statement will show when hovering the mouse over a code of Hazard_statement_and/or_Precautionary_statement.
Hazard_statement_and/or_Precautionary_statement are also provided in the Excel file.
* Classification was conducted by relevant Japanese Ministries in accordance with GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government,
and is intended to provide a reference for preparing GHS labelling and SDS for users.
* This is a provisional English translation of classification results and is subject to revision without notice.
* The responsibility for any resulting GHS labelling and SDS referenced from this site is with users.
* Codes assigned to each of the hazard statements and codes for each of the precautionary statement are
based on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) in United Nations.

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