Baby Safety / Compounds / Cobalt(II) oxide (CoO)

Is Cobalt(II) oxide (CoO) safe for babies and kids?

Moderate risk for kids

Not medical or professional safety advice, and not a substitute for a qualified clinician — consult one. Full disclaimer →

Infants are extremely vulnerable to Cobalt oxide (Co3O4, CoO) due to immature blood-brain barrier, higher gastrointestinal absorption rates (40-50% vs 3-10% in adults), and rapidly developing neurology. Health agencies such as ATSDR, WHO, and CDC publish child-specific exposure guidance and advise minimizing avoidable early-childhood exposure, since infant-specific safe thresholds are frequently not established.

What is cobalt(ii) oxide (coo)?

Also known as: Cobalt [II] oxide, Cobalt(II) oxide, Cobaltous oxide, Cobalt monoxide.

CAS number
1307-96-6
Molecular formula
CoO
Molecular weight
74.933 g/mol
SMILES
[Co+2].[O-2]

Risk for babies

Moderate risk

Infants are extremely vulnerable to Cobalt oxide (Co3O4, CoO) due to immature blood-brain barrier, higher gastrointestinal absorption rates (40-50% vs 3-10% in adults), and rapidly developing neurology. Health agencies such as ATSDR, WHO, and CDC publish child-specific exposure guidance and advise minimizing avoidable early-childhood exposure, since infant-specific safe thresholds are frequently not established.

Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.

What to do: Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

High risk

Pregnancy increases vulnerability to Cobalt oxide (Co3O4, CoO). Heavy metals cross the placenta, accumulate in fetal tissue, and interfere with neurodevelopment. Maternal bone resorption during pregnancy mobilizes stored metals.

Known reproductive toxicant (GHS H360) or confirmed endocrine disruptor. Placental transfer is presumed. Fetal exposure during critical developmental windows may cause structural malformations, growth restriction, or functional deficits.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

No regulatory classifications on file for Cobalt(II) oxide (CoO) at this time.

No regulatory classifications on file for this compound.

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where kids encounter cobalt(ii) oxide (coo)

  • Contaminated Water — Mining site runoff, Industrial discharge, Old infrastructure
  • Food Chain — Fish from contaminated waters, Crops in contaminated soil

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Cobalt(II) oxide (CoO):

  • Mineral-based or plant-derived pigments
    Trade-offs: Narrower color range. May fade faster than synthetic pigments.
    Relative cost: 2-5× conventional

Frequently asked questions

Is cobalt(ii) oxide (coo) safe for kids?

Infants are extremely vulnerable to Cobalt oxide (Co3O4, CoO) due to immature blood-brain barrier, higher gastrointestinal absorption rates (40-50% vs 3-10% in adults), and rapidly developing neurology. Health agencies such as ATSDR, WHO, and CDC publish child-specific exposure guidance and advise minimizing avoidable early-childhood exposure, since infant-specific safe thresholds are frequently not established.

What products contain cobalt(ii) oxide (coo)?

Cobalt(II) oxide (CoO) appears in: Mining site runoff (Contaminated water); Industrial discharge (Contaminated water); Fish from contaminated waters (Food chain); Crops in contaminated soil (Food chain).

What should I do if my child is exposed to cobalt(ii) oxide (coo)?

Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

See Cobalt(II) oxide (CoO) in the baby app

Look up products containing cobalt(ii) oxide (coo), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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Sources (2)
  1. ATSDR Toxicological Profile — CAS 1308-06-1 — reference
  2. OEHHA Proposition 65 list — Cobalt [II] oxide (CAS 1307-96-6), cancer, 1992 — regulatory

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for medical, pediatric, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →