Posted: 12/5/2013 7:51:36 AM EDT
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For over thirty years I have been using desiccant packs in my safe that have some Cobalt Chloride crystals in them that turn from blue to pink when they need to be baked out.
Now I see that it has been classified as a health risk and the UK classifies it as toxic, but they also ban school trips on sunny days due to risk of sunburn. Should I get rid of them, or is this like the warning labels on baseboards "The state of California has determined this product poses a health risk" |
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I wouldn't worry.
http://www.inchem.org/documents/icsc/icsc/eics0783.htm |
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Quoted:
For over thirty years I have been using desiccant packs in my safe that have some Cobalt Chloride crystals in them that turn from blue to pink when they need to be baked out. Now I see that it has been classified as a health risk and the UK classifies it as toxic, but they also ban school trips on sunny days due to risk of sunburn. Should I get rid of them, or is this like the warning labels on baseboards "The state of California has determined this product poses a health risk" Arrgh. Too slow on my part. Not a significant risk. Don't breath or eat and keep it off your skin just like most other chemical compounds that react with water. It's an excellent dessicant, just handle it sparingly. A good synopsis is here: http://www.inchem.org/documents/icsc/icsc/eics0783.htm Not that the site has lots of "may's" and "possibly's" in its warning. That pretty much means there is a risk, but it's tiny if you use good handling techniques (as with all chemical compounds) Routes of exposure The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol and by ingestion. Inhalation risk A harmful concentration of airborne particles can be reached quickly when dispersed. Effects of short-term exposure The substance is irritating to the eyes. Effects of long-term or repeated exposure Repeated or prolonged contact may cause skin sensitization. Repeated or prolonged inhalation may cause asthma. The substance may have effects on the heart, thyroid and bone marrow. This substance is possibly carcinogenic to humans. Animal tests show that this substance possibly causes toxic effects upon human reproduction. |
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The crystals or the Californians? 
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"The state of California has determined this product poses a health risk" As long as you dont live in Cali you should be ok. and you don't eat them. The crystals or the Californians?
well if the CA people eat the crystals then you eat those Cali's you probably would turn into a zombie. |
| All my cobalt chloride is burgundy. :( But then it's Cobalt Chloride Hexahydrate |
| When I was in High School, we had to come up with practical uses for various chemical as an assignment. I was assigned Cobalt Chloride and ended up making "humidity test strips" for use the school's trophy display cases. Other than the standard goggles, I was not instructed to use any special protective equipment when handling the chemicals. |
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Quoted:
For over thirty years I have been using desiccant packs in my safe that have some Cobalt Chloride crystals in them that turn from blue to pink when they need to be baked out. Now I see that it has been classified as a health risk and the UK classifies it as toxic, but they also ban school trips on sunny days due to risk of sunburn. Should I get rid of them, or is this like the warning labels on baseboards "The state of California has determined this product poses a health risk" You’re going to die OP! Send me all your guns and Ammo! Is there anything that the commie state of California does not consider a health risk? 
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