Cobalt & compounds: Health effects
Description
Cobalt has both beneficial and harmful effects on humans. It is part of vitamin B-12, and may be used in the treatment of anaemia. Exposure to cobalt may cause lung effects, which include respiratory irritation, coughing, asthma, pulmonary oedema, and pneumonia. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies cobalt as a 'possible human carcinogen'. Exposure to cobalt salts may cause skin problems, and may damage the kidneys and cause lung damage. Cobalt can damage the heart, causing heart failure. Repeated exposures can cause scarring of the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis) which may not be noticed without a chest x-ray. This can be disabling or fatal.
Entering the body
Cobalt and cobalt products will enter the body if we breathe in contaminated air, drink contaminated water, or eat food containing cobalt. Small amounts occur naturally in food, water, and the air (from soil which has become dust). These small amounts are essential for good health.
Exposure
Everyone is exposed to low levels of cobalt in the air, water and food we eat. Cobalt can also be absorbed through the skin. Workers in the industries that use or produce cobalt and its compounds (coal mining, hard metal industries, cobalt dye painting, and ore processing and chemical manufacturing) are at risk of higher exposure. Consumers can be exposed to cobalt and its compounds by exposure to air from production and processing facilities using cobalt and its compounds.
Health guidelines
Worksafe Australia:
For cobalt, eight hour time weighted average (TWA) exposure limit: 0.05 mg/m3
For cobalt carbonyl (as cobalt), eight hour time weighted average (TWA) exposure limit: 0.1 mg/m3
For cobalt hydrocarbonyl (as cobalt), eight hour time weighted average (TWA) exposure limit: 0.1 mg/m3
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