Australian Government: National Pollutant Inventory: Cobalt and compounds
Link |
http://www.npi.gov.au/resource/cobalt-and-compound s |
Elements |
Cobalt
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Species |
Inorganic Organic Complex |
Topic |
Information - Environmental Health |
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Information - Environmental Pollution |
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Information - Human Exposure, Environment |
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Information - Human Health/Nutrition/Metabolism |
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Information - Industrial Use |
Owner |
Government |
Location |
Australia |
Language |
English |
Description
Cobalt is a metal that occurs naturally in many different forms. Small amounts of it are found in most rocks, soil, water, plants, and animals. Cobalt is a component of vitamin B-12, which is required for good health. The largest use of cobalt metal is to make alloys, which retain strength even when very hot. It is also used to help paint dry quickly. Cobalt is also used to make artificial body parts such as hip and knee joints. Cobalt carbonate is used in ceramics and as an animal feed supplement in trace amounts. Cobalt chloride is used as a humidity and water indicator, in electroplating, in the manufacture of vitamin B-12, as a fertilizer and feed additive in trace amounts. Cobalt oxide is used in pigments for ceramics and glass, in fast drying paints and varnishes, in semiconductors, in enamel coatings on steel, and again as an animal feed additive in trace amounts. Cobalt sulfate is used in electroplating, in batteries, as a drying agent in inks and varnishes, in enamels, and ceramics, and as a feed and fertilizer additive.
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