COBALT TOXICITY

Source:

-Alloys

-Batteries

-Chemistry/crystal sets

-Drill bits, saw blades, and other machine tools

-Dyes and pigments (cobalt blue)

-Magnets

-Some metal-on-metal hip implants

-Tires

Mode of transmission:

Skin Contact, Swallowing, Inhalation

Mechanism:

-High affinity for sulfydryl groups

-Inhibition of enzymes(Oxidative Phosphorylation)

-Inhibition and competition with Calcium Binding.

-Generation of Oxygen Species

-Dirct Cytotoxicity

Clinical signs:

Usually you have to be exposed to high levels of cobalt for weeks to months to have symptoms. However, it is possible to have some symptoms if you swallow a large amount of cobalt at once.

The most worrisome form of cobalt poisoning occurs when you breathe too much into your lungs. This usually will only happen in industrial settings where large amounts of drilling, polishing, or other processes release fine particles containing cobalt into the air. Breathing in this cobalt dust can lead to chronic lung problems. If you breathe in this substance for long periods, you will likely develop breathing problems that are similar to asthma or pulmonary fibrosis, such as shortness of breath and decreased exercise tolerance.

Cobalt poisoning that occurs from constant contact with your skin will likely cause irritation and rashes that go away slowly.

Swallowing a large amount of absorbable cobalt at one time is very rare and is likely not very dangerous. It may cause nausea and vomiting. However, absorbing a large amount of cobalt over longer periods of time can lead to serious health problems, such as:

-Cardiomyopathy (a problem where your heart becomes big and floppy and has problems pumping blood)

-Deafness

-Nerve problems

-Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

-Thickening of the blood

-Thyroid problems

-Vision problems

Diagnosis:

Blood and urine tests, x-rays and ECG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing) may be performed.

Treatment:

Treatment for skin contact:

 Since these rashes are rarely serious, very little will be done. The area may be washed and a skin cream may be prescribed.

Treatment for lung involvement:

Breathing problems will be treated based on your symptoms. Breathing treatments and medications to treat swelling and inflammation in your lungs may be prescribed. Blood and urine tests, x-rays and ECG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing) may be done.

Treatment for swallowed cobalt:

The health care team will treat your symptoms and order some blood tests. In the rare case that you have large levels of cobalt in your blood, you may need hemodialysis (kidney machine) and get medicines (antidotes) to reverse the effects of the poison.

Differential Diagnosis:

-Cardiomyopathy

-Thyroid Disorder

-Neuropathy

-Optic Nerve Disorder