NITE - Chemical Management Field

Latest GHS Classification Results by the Japanese Government (edited by NITE)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Item	Information
CAS RN	544-18-3
Chemical Name	Cobalt(II) formate
Substance ID	m-nite-544-18-3_v1
Download of Excel format	Excel file

REFERENCE INFORMATION

Item	Information
Guidance used for the classification (External link)	To Guidance List
UN GHS document (External link)	To UN GHS document
FAQ（GHS classification results by the Japanese Government）	To FAQ
List of Information Sources (Excel file)	List of Information Sources
List of Definitions/Abbreviations	Definitions/Abbreviations
Sample Label by MHLW (External link)	To Workplace Safety Site (MHLW)
Sample SDS by MHLW (External link)	To Workplace Safety Site (MHLW)
OECD/eChemPortal (External link)	To OECD/eChemPortal (External link)

PHYSICAL HAZARDS

Hazard class		Classification	Pictogram Signal word	Hazard statement (code)	Precautionary statement (code)	Rationale for the classification	Classification year (FY)	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government
1	Explosives	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	There are no chemical groups associated with explosive properties present in the molecule.	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
2	Flammable gases	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition).	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
3	Aerosols	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Not aerosol products.	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
4	Oxidizing gases	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition).	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
5	Gases under pressure	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition).	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
6	Flammable liquids	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition).	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
7	Flammable solids	Not classified	- -	-	-	Because cobalt acetate (II) is not combustible (HSDB (Access on July 2016)), it is estimated that this substance is also not combustible.	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
8	Self-reactive substances and mixtures	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	No data available.	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
9	Pyrophoric liquids	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition).	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
10	Pyrophoric solids	Not classified	- -	-	-	Because cobalt acetate (II) is not combustible (HSDB (Access on July 2016)), it is estimated that this substance is also not combustible.	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
11	Self-heating substances and mixtures	Not classified	- -	-	-	Because cobalt acetate (II) is not combustible (HSDB (Access on July 2016)), it is estimated that this substance is also not combustible.	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
12	Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	No data available.	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
13	Oxidizing liquids	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition).	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
14	Oxidizing solids	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	The substance is an organic compound containing oxygen (but not fluorine or chlorine) which is ionically bonded to the element other than carbon or hydrogen (Co) and does not contribute to oxidation.	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
15	Organic peroxides	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Organic compounds containing no bivalent -O-O- structure in the molecule	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
16	Corrosive to metals	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Test methods applicable to solid substances are not available.	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
17	Desensitized explosives	-	- -	-	-	-	-	-

HEALTH HAZARDS

Hazard class		Classification	Pictogram Signal word	Hazard statement (code)	Precautionary statement (code)	Rationale for the classification	Classification year (FY)	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government
1	Acute toxicity (Oral)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data.	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
1	Acute toxicity (Dermal)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data.	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
1	Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Gases)	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition)	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
1	Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Vapours)	Not classified (Not applicable)	- -	-	-	Solid (GHS definition)	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
1	Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Dusts and mists)	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data.	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
2	Skin corrosion/irritation	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data. 　Besides, it is reported that cobalt(II) formate dihydrate causes skin irritation in humans (HSDB (Access on July 2016)). This information was not adopted as the evidence for classification since the details are unknown.	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
3	Serious eye damage/eye irritation	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data. 　Besides, it is reported that cobalt(II) formate dihydrate causes eye irritation in humans (HSDB (Access on July 2016)). This information was not adopted as the evidence for classification since the details are unknown.	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
4	Respiratory sensitization	Category 1A	Danger	H334	P304+P340 P342+P311 P261 P284 P501	According to Recommendation of Occupational Exposure Limits (Japan Society For Occupational Health (JSOH), 2015), cobalt and its compounds are listed in Group 1 of occupational sensitizers to the airway. Therefore, this substance was classified in Category 1A.	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
4	Skin sensitization	Category 1A	Warning	H317	P302+P352 P333+P313 P362+P364 P261 P272 P280 P321 P501	According to Recommendation of Occupational Exposure Limits (Japan Society For Occupational Health (JSOH), 2015), cobalt and its compounds are listed in Group 1 of occupational sensitizers to the skin. Therefore, this substance was classified in Category 1A.	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
5	Germ cell mutagenicity	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	There is no data available for this substance itself. As for in vivo tests, it was reported that the results were positive in a micronucleus test and a chromosomal aberration test using mouse bone marrow cells for cobalt dichloride, a soluble cobalt(II) compound (ATSDR (2004), CICAD 69 (2009), Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.11 (Ministry of the Environment, 2013)), but these data are not fully reliable or valid. It is reported that significant increases in micronuclei or DNA damage in peripheral blood were not detected in exposure to workers (SIAP (2014)). 　As for in vitro tests, both positive and negative results were reported for bacterial reverse mutation tests. In cultured mammalian cell systems, a micronucleus test, a chromosomal aberration test, and a gene mutation test were positive (ATSDR (2004), CICAD (2009), Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.11 (Ministry of the Environment, 2013), IARC 52 (1991)). However, in vitro micronucleus tests performed using mouse bone marrow cells isolated from the in vivo micronucleus tests described above, the result was negative regardless of the presence or absence of S9. In SIAP (2014), it was described that soluble cobalt does not show mutagenicity (mutations) to bacteria and cells, but does show chromosomal damage in vitro, and that this is presumed to be due to reactive oxygen species (ROS). According to the weight of evidence, based on negative findings in in vivo chromosomal damage tests and negative findings in human occupational exposure, it is said that protective processes are effective in vivo. From the above, because soluble cobalt compounds have no in vivo effect, this substance was classified as "Classification not possible."	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
6	Carcinogenicity	Category 2	Warning	H351	P308+P313 P201 P202 P280 P405 P501	There are no test results for this substance itself. Cobalt and cobalt compounds are classified in Group 2B by IARC (IARC 52 (1991)), A3 by ACGIH (ACGIH (7th, 2001), Group 2B by Japan Society For Occupational Health (JSOH) (Recommendation of Occupational Exposure Limits, 2015) and R by NTP (NTP RoC 14th, 2016). Therefore, this substance was classified in Category 2.	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
7	Reproductive toxicity	Category 1B	Danger	H360	P308+P313 P201 P202 P280 P405 P501	Although there is no information on the reproductive effects of this substance itself, information regarding soluble cobalt compounds is considered to be available. In a test in which cobalt chloride hexahydrate was fed to male rats (265 ppm: 20 mg Co/kg/day), moderate to severe congestion appeared in the testes after administration for 35 days. Significant effects on spermatogonial cells, spermatocytes and sperm cells were also observed in addition to degenerative or necrotic changes in the testicular germinal epitheliums and Sertoli cells after administration for 70 days (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.11 (Ministry of the Environment, 2013). In a test where male mice given cobalt(II) chloride in drinking water for 12 weeks were mated with unexposed females, decreases were observed in the epididymal sperm count and in the survival of newborn pups at doses of 200 mg/L or higher. At doses of 400 mg/L or higher, the number of pregnant animals was reduced (declining fertility of males), testis weights decreased, testicular sperm counts and daily sperm production were reduced; and in a tissue observation of testes hypertrophy of the interstitial Leydig cells, congested blood vessels, degeneration of the spermatogonial cells, necrosis of the seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissue etc. were observed at doses of 400 mg/L or higher (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.11 (Ministry of the Environment, 2013), CICAD 69 (2006)). In another study in which pregnant rats were given cobalt sulfate by gavage (gestation day 1 to 21), from the 50 mg/kg/day dose level, which is lower than the level of maternal toxicity expression (at 100 mg/kg/day, relative weight decrease of the liver, adrenal gland, and spleen are observed), fetuses were reported to have malformations (malformations of the cranium, spinal column, renal pelvis, renal tubule, ovary, and testis), and it was also reported that in orally administered pregnant mice (gestation days 6 to 15), at 50 mg/kg/day, malformations of eyelids, kidneys, cranium, and spine occurred in fetuses (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.11 (Ministry of the Environment, 2013)). 　From the above, in soluble cobalt compounds, harmful effects on male genetic organs and consequent reduction in fertility by the oral route, and teratogenicity were all observed at dose levels without the maternal toxicity. Since this substance is also a soluble cobalt compound, it is considered that similar reproductive and developmental toxicities are likely to occur. Therefore, this substance was classified in Category 1B.	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
8	Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure	Category 2 (central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract), Category 3 (respiratory tract irritation)	Warning	H371 H335	P308+P311 P260 P264 P270 P405 P501 P304+P340 P403+P233 P261 P271 P312	No single exposure data for humans or experimental animals is available. 　This substance is described as soluble in water (HSDB (Access on July 2016)). In a single oral dose test of cobalt (II) dichloride (CAS RN 7646-79-9), which is a soluble cobalt salt, decreased spontaneous activity, depression of muscle tone, depression of respiration rate, effects on the gastrointestinal tract were reported at doses equivalent to Category 1 (ATSDR (2004)), and it was classified in Category 1 (central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract) in the GHS Classification (FY 2015). Also cobalt dichloride and along with other soluble cobalt salts such as cobalt (II) sulfate, cobalt (II) dinitrate and cobalt (II) diacetate were administered in acute oral dose tests using rats, and sedation, diarrhoea, tremors and convulsions prior to death, decrease in body temperature, increased heart rate, and piloerection were observed at the highest dose (corresponding to Category 2), but no macroscopic alterations were observed in the most significant organs and most effects disappeared after 72 hours (SIAP (2014)). Furthermore, it is stated that cobalt(II) chloride, cobalt(II) sulfate, cobalt(II) nitrate and cobalt (II) acetate all stimulate the respiratory tract (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.11 (Ministry of the Environment, 2013)). 　Together with the above information, it is considered that this substance also shows respiratory tract irritation in addition to the effects on the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract as with other soluble cobalt salts. Therefore, this substance was classified in Category 2 (central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract) and Category 3 (respiratory tract irritation).	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
9	Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure	Category 1 (nervous system, respiratory organs, cardiovascular system, thyroid, blood system), Category 2 (reproductive organs (male))	Danger Warning	H372 H373	P260 P264 P270 P314 P501	It is described that this substance is soluble in water (HSDB (Access on July 2016)). 　No data regarding humans or experimental animals is available for this substance. 　As information for soluble cobalt compounds, in humans, it was reported that as disorders in overdose of cobalt chloride or cobalt sulfate used for the treatment of anemia, effects on the nervous system (anorexia, nausea, tinnitus, hearing loss, neuropathy) and thyroid (goiter and inhibition of thyroid gland iodine uptake) were observed and as a result of oral administration of cobalt chloride to volunteers, it was reported that erythroid haematopoiesis was enhanced and there were many complaints of headaches and abdominal discomfort as subjective symptoms (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.11 (Ministry of the Environment, 2013), CICAD 69 (2006)). Also, as cobalt sulfate had been added for the purpose of stabilizing the foam on beer, deaths due to cardiomyopathy were reported among heavy beer drinkers and myocardial damage action of cobalt was a concern (CICAD 69 (2006), ACGIH (7th, 2001)). By restricting the addition of cobalt, it is said that the occurrence of cardiomyopathy and resulting death had disappeared (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.11 (Ministry of the Environment) (2013)). From the above, the nervous system, cardiovascular system, thyroid, haemal system could be cited as target organs of repeated exposures to soluble cobalt compounds, including this substance, in humans. 　As for experimental animals, in tests using rats dosed with cobalt dichloride by gavage for 7 months, increases in red blood cell numbers and hemoglobin levels were observed at doses of 0.5 mg Co/kg/day or more (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.11 (Ministry of the Environment, 2013), ATSDR (2004)). Blood effects were also observed in tests in which cobalt chloride hexahydrate was orally administered to rats for 8 weeks (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.11 (Ministry of the Environment, 2013), ATSDR (2004)). In addition, in inhalation exposure tests on cobalt sulfate heptahydrate using rats or mice for 13 weeks or 2 years, inflammatory tissue changes in the respiratory organs were observed from the low concentration of 0.3 mg/m3 (0.11 mg/m3 as cobalt) in both rats and mice and also in the 13-week exposure test using rats, an influence in the blood (polycythemia, platelet count reduction, increased reticulocyte counts) was observed (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.11 (Ministry of the Environment, 2013), CICAD 69 (2006)). Furthermore, it was reported that in a test in which male mice were given by drinking water 200 to 800 ppm of cobalt dichloride for 12 weeks, decrease in the weight of the testes, decrease in the epididymal sperm count, reduced daily sperm production and necrosis of the seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissue were observed at doses of 400 to 800 ppm (47 to 93 mg/kg/day, 21 to 42 mg/kg/day as cobalt) (converted guidance value: 19.6 to 39.2 mg/kg/day) (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances Vol.11 (Ministry of the Environment, 2013), CICAD 69 (2006)). From the above, it was considered that the target organs of soluble cobalt compounds are the respiratory organs, haemal system, testes and the effects on testes and that on others correspond to Category 2 and category 1, respectively. 　Therefore, based on the information regarding the effects of repeated exposure to soluble cobalt compounds on humans and experimental animals, this substance was classified in Category 1 (nervous system, respiratory organs, cardiovascular system, thyroid, haemal system) and Category 2 (genetic organs (men)).	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
10	Aspiration hazard	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	Classification not possible due to lack of data.	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS

Hazard class		Classification	Pictogram Signal word	Hazard statement (code)	Precautionary statement (code)	Rationale for the classification	Classification year (FY)	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government
11	Hazardous to the aquatic environment Short term (Acute)	Category 3	- -	H402	P273 P501	From 96-hour LC50 = 12.7 mg Co/L for fish (Pimephales promelas) (Environmental Risk Assessment for Chemical Substances vol. 11 (Ministry of the Environment, 2013)) (converted to a cobalt formate equivalent: 32.1 mg/L), it was classified in Category 3.	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
11	Hazardous to the aquatic environment Long term (Chronic)	Category 3	- -	H412	P273 P501	Reliable chronic toxicity data were not obtained. Due to unknown environmental dynamics of the inorganic compound, and acute toxicity Category 3, it was classified in Category 3.	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))
12	Hazardous to the ozone layer	Classification not possible	- -	-	-	No data available.	FY2016	GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government (FY2013 revised edition (Ver. 1.1))

NOTE:

GHS Classification Result by the Japanese Government is intended to provide a reference for preparing a GHS label or SDS for users. To include the same classification result in a label or SDS for Japan is NOT mandatory.
Users can cite or copy this classification result when preparing a GHS label or SDS. Please be aware, however, that the responsibility for a label or SDS prepared by citing or copying this classification result lies with users.
This GHS classification was conducted based on the information sources and the guidance for classification and judgement which are described in the GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government etc. Using other literature, test results etc. as evidence and including different content from this classification result in a label or SDS are allowed.
Hazard statement and precautionary statement will show by hovering the mouse cursor over a code in the column of "Hazard statement" and "Precautionary statement," respectively. In the excel file, both the codes and statements are provided.
A blank or "-" in the column of "Classification" denotes that a classification for the hazard class was not conducted in the year.
An asterisk “*” in the column of “Classification” denotes that “Not classified (or No applicable)” and/or “Classification not possible” is applicable. Details are described in the column of “Rationale for the classification”. If no English translation is available for “Rationale for the classification,” please refer to the Japanese version of the results.

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