Cobalt

What is cobalt? What happens to cobalt in the environment?
Cobalt is a hard, brittle metal that occurs naturally in the ∗ In the air, cobalt can stick to particles that settle to
environment and is a common by-product of nickel and the ground.
copper mining activities. Cobalt can enter the environment ∗ Some cobalt released into water or soil may stick to
from burning coal or oil, processing of cobalt-containing particles while some may dissolve.
ores, and the production ∗ Cobalt cannot be destroyed once it has entered the
and use of cobalt- environment; however, it may change form when
containing chemicals. combining with other particles.
∗ Plants may accumulate very small amounts of
Cobalt is often mixed with cobalt when grown in contaminated soil.
metals such as iron or nickel ∗ Although cobalt can collect in fish and other animals
to make alloys (mixture of that people may eat, the levels in them would not be
metals). These alloys are used for parts in gas turbine harmful.
aircraft engines; corrosion resistant alloys; high-speed,
heavy-duty, high-temperature cutting tools and dies; and in How might I be exposed to cobalt?
magnets and magnetic recording media. It is also used as a As cobalt is widely dispersed in the environment humans
chemical agent in the petroleum and chemical industries. may be exposed to it by breathing air, drinking water, and/or
Cobalt is commonly used in electroplating because of its eating food that contains cobalt. In the general population
appearance, hardness, and resistance to oxidation. Cobalt food and drinking water are the largest sources of exposure
compounds have been used for to cobalt. Skin contact with cobalt contaminated
centuries to create a rich blue color soil or water may also increase your risk of
in glass, glazes, ceramics, exposure.
porcelain, pottery, tiles, and
enamels. Workers in industries that make or use cutting or
grinding tools; mine, smelt, refine, or process
cobalt metal or ores; or that produce cobalt alloys
Some forms of cobalt are
or use cobalt can have an increased risk of
radioactive. Radioactive cobalt is
exposure. Others may come into contact with
used for sterilizing medical
the dust containing cobalt carried on the clothes
equipment and various other
of these workers if worn inside the home.
consumer products. It is
commonly used in radiation therapy Exposure to high levels of radioactive cobalt is a
for cancer patients and in rare occurrence for the general population unless
manufacturing plastics. Radioactive an individual is going through radiation therapy. However,
cobalt can be used to irradiate food in order to destroy workers at nuclear facilities, irradiation facilities, or
harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, or insects that might nuclear waste storage sites may be exposed to radiation
promote spoilage or cause human disease. from these sources.
How can cobalt affect my health?
Exposure to high levels of cobalt in the air may result in
health problems. Workers breathing air containing 100,000
times the concentration of cobalt normally found in ambient
air experienced severe lung effects such
as wheezing, asthma, and pneumonia.
However, this level of exposure is
unlikely to occur outside of a confined
work-place setting.
Other health effects associated with

exposure to high levels of cobalt through
ingestion may include: nausea and vomiting, vision problems,
dermatitis, thyroid damage, severe damage to the heart, and How can I reduce my exposure to cobalt?
even death.
Special measures are not needed to reduce exposure,
Uncontrolled exposure to radioactive cobalt can produce a one can reduce exposure to cobalt simply by:
severe radiation sickness with nausea, vomiting, bleeding,
∗ Washing hands and faces before eating if you
decreased white blood cell count, diarrhea, hair loss, sterility,
coma, and even death depending on the size of the cobalt have been outdoors.
source, the parts of the body that are closest to the source, ∗ Covering contaminated soil with clean soil or
and how long the exposure lasts. Cancer patients being sod, paving stone, or a deck.
treated with radioactive cobalt sources sometimes experience ∗ Cleaning your home regularly with a damp mop/
burns, blisters, and/or localized hair loss in the areas being cloth.
treated. ∗ Using removable rugs at entry points to the
home and cleaning them outside to reduce dust
Exposure to high levels of radioactive cobalt can cause getting into the house.
damage to the genetic materials within cells and may result in ∗ Cleaning forced air ducts
the development of some types of cancers. Therefore, it has regularly, using better
been determined that cobalt
quality furnace filters, and
and cobalt compounds may
changing or cleaning
possibly cause cancer in
humans. Nonradioactive furnace filters more
cobalt has not been found to frequently.
cause cancer in humans or ∗ Brushing indoor pets often and outside if possible
animals following exposure in to reduce dust particles carried into the home.
food or water. ∗ Thoroughly cleaning garden vegetables and
peeling the outer skin from root crops.
It is important to remember that the effects of exposure to any
substance depend on the type of exposure, concentration of the
substance, and the length of time of exposure. Additional factors
that must be considered are age, gender, diet, family traits, For more information, contact the:
lifestyle, and health status. Texas Department of State Health Services
Environmental and Injury Epidemiology
& Toxicology Group
1100 West 49th Street, MC1964
Austin, Texas 78756
Phone (800) 588-1248
03/2012

Cobalt

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Cobalt

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

What is cobalt? What happens to cobalt in the environment?

Other health effects associated with

You might also like