EPA TRI Chemical
Cobalt and Cobalt Compounds
EPA TRI Category Code: N096
- Total releases
- 11.3M lbs
- Number of facilities
- 281
- Carcinogen
- Yes
- PBT substance
- No
According to the EPA Toxics Release Inventory, Cobalt and Cobalt Compounds (EPA TRI Category Code N096) is disclosed by 281 Form R facilities totaling 11.3M lbs of reported releases. The TRI extract marks this chemical with a carcinogen classification flag. TRI pounds are self-reported disclosure totals, not a measured public-health risk score.
Cobalt and Cobalt Compounds (EPA TRI Category Code N096) is a chemical tracked by the EPA Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) program under Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. The TRI requires industrial facilities above specified threshold quantities to disclose annual manufacturing, processing, and otherwise-used volumes, along with quantities released to air, water, land, and off-site transfers.
The carcinogen flag above reflects an assessment from EPA, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, or the National Toxicology Program, not a TRI-specific determination. The largest individual disclosure in the current dataset comes from EAGLE MINE LLC-HUMBOLDT MILL in MI at 2.0M lbs.
TRI volumes are self-reported estimates, not measured stack emissions, and each pound counts equally regardless of chemical toxicity, so total pounds should not be equated with total risk. Inclusion of a chemical or facility in the TRI does not itself establish a health hazard; it documents the public right-to-know record. Consult EPA's IRIS (Integrated Risk Information System) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry for health-effect summaries.
LAND pathway mix
Cobalt and Cobalt Compounds: how the 11.3M lbs splits
11.3M lbs across all reported pathways
- Land Disposal8.7M lbs77.6%
- Off-site Transfers2.4M lbs20.9%
- Air Releases88.3K lbs0.8%
- Water Discharges81.6K lbs0.7%
Cobalt and Cobalt Compounds's 11.3M lbs Form-R total is LAND, with land disposal making up 77.6% of the bar. Next segment: off-site transfers at 20.9%.
Trend & Where It's Reported
Between 2019 and 2023, cumulative annual Cobalt and Cobalt Compounds releases across all reporting facilities increased by 12% (2.4M lbs → 2.7M lbs). Year-to-year swings reflect facility openings/closures and reporting changes as much as underlying activity.
Reporting for Cobalt and Cobalt Compounds is dispersed: Michigan accounts for 22.0% of the reported total (15 facilities). Next: Texas.
- Michigan 2.5M lbs
- Texas 1.7M lbs
- Arizona 747.3K lbs
- California 733.0K lbs
- Nevada 635.3K lbs
Reporting for Cobalt and Cobalt Compounds is concentrated by industry: Hazardous Waste facilities account for 32.2% of the reported total (17 facilities). Next: Metal Mining.
- Hazardous Waste 3.6M lbs
- Metal Mining 3.3M lbs
- Electric Utilities 1.9M lbs
- Chemicals 1.0M lbs
- Electrical Equipment 786.6K lbs
Which facilities release the most of this chemical?
Facilities with the largest reported releases of Cobalt and Cobalt Compounds. Up to 50 shown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cobalt and Cobalt Compounds in the EPA TRI? ▼
How much Cobalt and Cobalt Compounds is disclosed in U.S. TRI filings? ▼
How does EPA TRI classify Cobalt and Cobalt Compounds? ▼
Which facilities disclose the most Cobalt and Cobalt Compounds? ▼
Why is Cobalt and Cobalt Compounds listed under code N096 instead of a CAS number? ▼
Health Information
Carcinogen Classification: This chemical is classified as a known or suspected carcinogen by the EPA under the Toxic Release Inventory program. This classification is based on evaluations by agencies including the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the National Toxicology Program (NTP), and the EPA itself.
Data comes from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) program. Release quantities are self-reported by facilities and may represent estimates. The total shown aggregates reports across all facilities and reporting years.
PlainEnviro presents this data without advocacy framing. The presence of a chemical in the TRI database does not by itself indicate a health risk at current exposure levels. For health-related questions about specific chemical exposures, consult your local health agency or a toxicologist.
Related
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.