Spotlight on cobalt
The US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has recently added a new page about cobalt to its website (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/cobalt/). Cobalt is an essential element being part of vitamin B12, necessary for neurological function, brain function, and the formation of blood but it is also extremely toxic. It is used in various metal alloys, magnets, cutting and grinding tools, pigments, paints, coloured glass, surgical implants, catalysts, batteries and metal coatings. The radioactive isotopes of cobalt are used in medicine, food irradiation, and in the measurement of concrete density and weld integrity. Exposure to cobalt can arise during alloy production and processing, the use of cobalt in other industries such as glass making and while cutting and grinding using hard metal abrasives.
Long term workplace exposure to metallic dusts or fumes containing cobalt can result in "hard metal lung disease", which is a type of pneumoconiosis (lung fibrosis). Cobalt is also a respiratory sensitiser which causes asthma, shortness of breath, and decreased pulmonary function. Skin contact with cobalt can cause sensitization leading to contact dermatitis. The UK WEL for cobalt is 0.1 mgm-3.
The IOM laboratory analyses samples for cobalt and a wide range of other metals in air samples, soils and water.