Abstract
PurposeCobalt exposure is known to cause adverse effects on health. A major use of cobalt is in the manufacture of hard metal. Exposure can lead to asthma, hard metal lung disease, contact allergy and increased risk of cancer. Cobalt is mainly absorbed from the pulmonary tract, however penetration through skin may occur. The relationships between exposure to inhalable cobalt in air and on skin and the uptake in blood and urine will be investigated, as well as the association between dermal symptoms and dermal exposure.MethodsCobalt exposure in 71 workers in hard metal production facilities was measured as inhalable cobalt in the breathing zone and cobalt found on skin with acid wash. Uptake of cobalt was determined with concentrations in blood and urine. Correlations between exposure and uptake were analysed.ResultsInhalable cobalt in air and cobalt in blood and urine showed rank correlations with coefficients 0.40 and 0.25. Cobalt on skin and uptake in blood and urine presented correlation coefficients of 0.36 and 0.17. Multiple linear regression of cobalt in air and on skin with cobalt in blood showed regression coefficients with cobalt in blood (β = 203 p < 0.0010, and β = 0.010, p = 0.0040) and with cobalt in urine (β = 5779, p = 0.0010, and β = 0.10, p = 0.60).ConclusionsOur data presents statistically significant correlations between exposure to cobalt in air with uptake of cobalt in blood and urine. Cobalt on skin was statistically significant with cobalt in blood but not with urine.
Highlights
Metals such as cobalt are elements naturally found in the environment
Cobalt on skin was statistically significant with cobalt in blood but not with urine
Data are presented both as unadjusted and adjusted for the use of respirators. Standard parameters such as arithmetic mean (AM), standard deviation (SD), geometric mean (GM), geometric standard deviation (GSD) and range were calculated for the log normal distribution of all the measurements (Tables 2 and 3)
Summary
The study was performed at two Swedish hard metal industries, employing 130 and 1 400 workers, and with a production during the measurements days of 18 500–44 000 items and 1. The companies produce smaller details of cemented carbide materials for cutting work and rock drilling, of 10–250 gram/piece and larger products for the car and plane industry of 10–50 kg/piece. Pressing and powder department represented the majority of the workers. A total of 71 hard metal workers, representing mainly dayshift, participated in this study, comprising 62 men and 9 women. The mean age was 42 years, ranging from 20 to 65, a majority of the workers were between 30 to 60 years, some 22% under the age of 30 and only 9% above 60 years old They had worked in the same workplace for 11 years on average, ranging up to 45 years of employment. If eczema is detected during employment, there will be evaluation for reassignment
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
