Trace Element and Micronutrient Reference Laboratory
Scotland's specialised laboratory for trace elements and vitamins in health and disease
Cobalt (Co)
Cobalt is an essential element found principally in vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin), a cobalt complex. Determination of nutritional adequacy is therefore more conveniently assessed through measurement of vitamin B12. Measurements of cobalt for nutritional purposes have little value.
Exposure to cobalt and its compounds occurs in the hard metal industry, cobalt refineries, specialist alloy manufacture, magnet manufacturing, the paint industry, and in diamond tooling. The main effects noted in humans are by dust inhalation and skin contact. Prolonged inhalation can result in respiratory sensitisation and asthma, and skin contact can lead to allergic dermatitis. Although it does not accumulate in the body, chronic ingestion of cobalt can result in cardiomyopathy.
Measurement of urinary cobalt concentrations on samples collected at the end of a working shift can be used as a guide to exposure.
Sample Requirements and Reference Values
|
Sample Type |
Random urine |
|
Container |
Universal container |
|
Precautions |
Urine samples for occupational exposure should be taken as random samples at the end of a working shift. |
|
Volume |
25 mL |
|
Reference range |
< 2.1 nmol/mmol creatinine |
|
Turnaround time |
1 week |
|
Method |
Graphite furnace/atomic absorption spectrometry |
HSE on Cobalt
CDC on Cobalt
ATSDR on Cobalt