The Dangers of Cobalt

Cobalt is an element that can be both beneficial to an individual's health and detrimental to it. The difference is dictated by the amount of cobalt one is subjected to. At its lowest levels, cobalt can be found in the chemical makeup of vitamin B12, which is necessary for optimum health, but if the body comes in contact with a high level of cobalt, it could ultimately be harmful to the heart and lungs.

What is Cobalt?

Cobalt (atomic number: 27, element symbol: Co) is found naturally in a wide range of ores, but it is typically in the form of a compound and very rarely in its purest form. It is a very hard metal that features a lustrous, silver-grey surface. It is commonly used in the manufacture of wear-resistant superalloys and magnets, and some of its compounds can be found in varnishes, paints and inks where it works as a drying agent.

Cobalt is also commonly used in the medical field in the form of Cobalt-60. Cobalt-60 is a radioactive metal which features prominently in radiotherapy and for sterilizing medical equipment. It is also used to irradiate food and in the manufacturing of plastics.

How am I Exposed to Cobalt?

People are exposed to cobalt on a daily basis through the air we breathe, the foods we eat and the water we drink. However, these trace amounts are typically harmless for most. For the largest contingency of the population, the largest sources of exposure are from food and water.

Workers who work in the metalworking industries are sometimes at a higher risk for exposure to more dangerous levels of cobalt. These industries commonly cut, grind, smelt, refine and process ores that feature cobalt in their composition. Workers who manufacture cobalt alloys are also at risk, as are workers employed by nuclear facilities, nuclear waste storage sites and irradiation facilities.

As stated earlier, the general population doesn't come into contact with dangerous levels of cobalt on a regular basis, but if someone is undergoing radiation therapy, then odds are they will be exposed to radioactive cobalt.

What are the Symptoms of Exposure to Cobalt?

Exposure to low levels of cobalt is actually good for you since it is a component of vitamin B12. However, high levels of exposure to cobalt can cause dermatitis, lung problems and it can have a negative effect on the health of the heart. Studies have also proven that a high level of cobalt exposure has caused liver and kidney damage in animals.

For people undergoing radiation therapy, exposure to radioactive cobalt can cause acute radiation syndrome. The symptoms of acute radiation syndrome are:

How Does Cobalt Enter the Environment?

Cobalt is found all throughout the environment because it is a natural source. It can also enter the environment through the burning of coal and oil, or from the production process of superalloys. Once the cobalt particles enter the atmosphere, they eventually settle to the ground, where it enters our food and water supply.

Interestingly enough, cobalt cannot be destroyed. As it makes its way through the environment, it can attach to or separate from other particles and it has the ability to change form.

How do I Test Myself for Cobalt Exposure?

Within a couple days of exposure, cobalt can be detected in the blood or urine. Your doctor can take blood or urine samples, but they will have to be sent to a laboratory for analysis. The test results will tell the amount of cobalt in your body and doctors can rationalize the amount of exposure through that data. However, they cannot determine exactly what health-related effects you will experience.

There are other additional tests which can be performed to check for exposure to radioactive cobalt. In fact, there are two separate test that can be performed - one test to determine if you have been exposed to radioactive cobalt and another to check to see if there is any in your body. The first test is performed with a simple blood analysis. The second test is much more thorough and involves examination of your blood, urine, feces and the health of your body.

Read Dr. Group's Chemical & Heavy Metals Cleanse

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