Cobalt: biological information

Cobalt salts in small amounts are essential to many life forms, including humans. It is at the core of a vitamin called vitamin-B12. Grazing animals do not to do well in areas where there is little cobalt in the soil.

Levels in humans

Table: the abundances of the elements in humans.
Human abundance by weight20 ppb by weight
Human abundance by atoms2 atoms relative to C = 1000000

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Hazards and Risks

Hazards and risks associated with cobalt:

Cobalt metal powder is a fire hazard. Unless known otherwise, all cobalt compounds should be regarded as toxic although most are probably not particularly toxic. Some cobalt compounds may be carcinogenic.

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