This chemical has been found in at least 336 of 1,416 National Priorities List sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency. Cobalt is a compound that occurs in nature. It occurs in many different chemical forms. Pure cobalt is a steel-gray, shiny, hard metal. Cobalt is not currently mined in the United States.
All cobalt used in industry is imported or obtained by recycling scrap metal that contains cobalt.
Small amounts of cobalt naturally occur in food. In addition, vitamin B12 is a cobalt-containing compound that is essential for good health. Some important natural sources of cobalt in the environment are soil, dust, and seawater. Cobalt is also released to the environment from burning coal and oil, and from exhaust from cars and trucks. Cobalt enters the environment from natural sources and from the burning of coal and oil.