Contamination of skin and surfaces by cobalt in the hard metal industry

Kettelarij, Jolinde; Midander, Klara; Lidén, Carola; Julander, Anneli

doi:10.1111/cod.13056

Cited by 18 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…There are still no requirements to test Co release from items intended to come in prolonged and/or frequent skin contact such as with Ni. In our study the highest amount of Co was on the fingers of the nail heaters and raw material operators in concordance with other studies in which the highest quantity was found on hard metal pressing operator 19 and raw material groups 20,21 . These occupations have the most contact with raw unprocessed goods.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Occupational exposure to nickel, cobalt, and chromium in the Lithuanian hard metal industry

et al. 2021

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Background Metalworkers are said to have heavy exposure to metals, but the amount of released metal ions from alloys and deposition on the hands is unknown. Objective To analyze nickel, cobalt, and chromium in vitro release to the artificial sweat from nails and wire made of different alloys, and to test metal deposition on the fingers of metalworkers. Material and Methods Six different samples of nails and wire were kept in artificial sweat for 24 hours and one week, respectively. The metal release was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Eighty‐eight consecutive metal plant workers immersed their index fingers and thumbs in separate laboratory tubes filled with deionized water for 2 minutes. The sample analysis for metals was carried out with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP‐MS). Results The average released concentration of Ni was 0.0012 μg/cm2, for Co it was 0.0007 μg/cm2, and for Cr 0.0037 μg/cm2 after 24 hours and 0.0135, 0.0029, and 0.0042 μg/cm2, respectively, after 1 week. There was a statistically significant increase in released concentration of Ni during one week: 0.0012 μg/cm2 vs 0.0135 μg/cm2 (P = .04). Medians of the detected Co amount on fingers reflected a statistically significant difference between workplaces: 0.004 μg/cm2 for metalworkers vs 0.001 μg/cm2 for office staff (P = .04). Conclusion Nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), and chromium (Cr) can be released in different concentrations from nails and wire. Detected Ni and Cr levels can elicit dermatitis in already sensitized patients. Co can be extracted from alloys even if not mentioned on material safety data sheets. The finger immersion technique was used for cobalt and chromium detection on fingers for the first time.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Occupational exposure to nickel, cobalt, and chromium in the Lithuanian hard metal industry

et al. 2021

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“… 6 10 14 15 Sources of Co skin exposure within the hard metal industry have recently been identified and included the deposition of particles and dust, handling of hard metal items during production as well as touching production equipment and other work materials. 16 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neglected exposure route: cobalt on skin and its associations with urinary cobalt levels

et al. 2018

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ObjectivesCobalt (Co) exposure is associated with adverse health effects including skin sensitisation, asthma and interstitial lung fibrosis. Exposure to Co in industrial settings is often assessed using air samples or biomonitoring in urine. Skin exposure is rarely measured. Aim of this study was to quantify and compare the importance of Co skin exposure and respiratory exposure in determining urinary Co concentrations.MethodsCo skin exposure was measured in 76 hard metal workers by acid wipe sampling before and at the end of work shifts. Spot urine was collected during a 24-hour period from the start of a shift. Respiratory exposure was measured by personal inhalable dust sampling during a shift in 30 workers. Co was analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.ResultsQuantile regression modelling showed that a doubling of Co on skin before or at the end of shift increased the median urinary concentration of Co by 70% (p<0.001) or 32% (p<0.001), respectively. A doubling of Co in air increased median urinary Co by 38% (p<0.001). Co skin exposures were still significantly associated with urinary Co after excluding a group of workers with high respiratory exposure (33%, p=0.021 and 17%, p=0.002).ConclusionsThe results indicate an association between Co skin exposure and urinary Co concentrations. This should be considered when using urinary Co as a biomarker of exposure.

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“…But more often incorrect use of protective gloves occurs, and the wrong type of gloves is used so that the skin is not protected. A recently published study show that workers’ glove use did not affect the amount on cobalt deposited on skin in a hard metal facility due to the factors mentioned above ( Kettelarij et al , 2018b ). Furthermore, the efficiency of washing off metals from the skin has been investigated in some studies, showing that cobalt, chromium, iron, nickel, and lead, remain on the skin surface even after thorough cleaning ( Linnainmaa and Kiilunen, 1997 ; Sato and Yano, 2006 ; Liden et al , 2008 ; Lewinski et al , 2017 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Case Study of Brass Foundry Workers’ Estimated Lead (Pb) Body Burden from Different Exposure Routes

Julander

Midander

Garcia-Garcia

et al. 2020

Annals of Work Exposures and Health

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Objectives The most pronounced occupational exposure routes for lead (Pb) are inhalation and gastrointestinal uptake mainly through hand-to-mouth behaviour. Skin absorption has been demonstrated for organic Pb compounds, but less is known about inorganic Pb species. Several legislative bodies in Europe are currently proposing lowering biological exposure limit values and air exposure limits due to new evidence on cardiovascular effects at very low blood Pb levels. In light of this, all exposure routes in occupational settings should be revisited to evaluate how to lower the overall exposure to Pb. Methods The aim of the study was to investigate the possible exposure routes in workers operating computer numerical control-machines in a brass foundry and specifically to understand if metal cutting fluids (MCFs) used by the workers could lead to skin absorption of Pb. The different bronze alloys at the facility may contain up to 20% Pb. After obtaining written informed consent from the workers (n = 7), blood, skin wipes, and personal air samples were collected. In addition, MCFs used on the day of exposure measurements were collected for in vitro skin absorption studies using stillborn piglet skin mounted in static Franz diffusion cells (n = 48). All samples were analysed for Pb content using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results Pb air concentration (<0.1–3.4 µg m−3) was well below the Swedish occupational exposure limit value. Blood Pb was in the range of <0.72–33 µg dl−1, and Pb on skin surfaces, after performing normal work tasks during 2 h, was in the range of 0.2–48 µg cm−2. Using the MCFs in diffusion cells showed that skin absorption had occurred at very low doses, and that up to 10% of the Pb content was present in the skin after 24 h exposure. Using these results in the US EPA adult lead model, we could estimate a contribution to blood Pb from the three exposure routes; where hand-to-mouth behaviour yielded the highest contribution (16 µg Pb dl−1 blood), followed by skin absorption (3.3–6.3 µg Pb dl−1 blood) and inhalation (2.0 µg Pb dl−1 blood). Conclusions This case study shows that MCF may lead to skin absorption of inorganic Pb and contribute to a systemic dose (quasi-steady state). Furthermore, even though good hand hygienic measures were in place, the workers’ skin exposure to Pb is in all likelihood an important contributor in elevating blood Pb levels. Skin exposure should thus be monitored routinely in workers at facilities handling Pb, to help reducing unnecessary occupational exposure.

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Contamination of skin and surfaces by cobalt in the hard metal industry

Abstract: Cobalt skin doses were prominent, and originated from contact with raw materials, sintered materials, and contaminated surfaces. Cobalt was present on surfaces outside production areas. Companies need to identify and reduce skin exposure for protection of workers.

Cited by 18 publications

References 25 publications

Occupational exposure to nickel, cobalt, and chromium in the Lithuanian hard metal industry

Occupational exposure to nickel, cobalt, and chromium in the Lithuanian hard metal industry

Neglected exposure route: cobalt on skin and its associations with urinary cobalt levels

A Case Study of Brass Foundry Workers’ Estimated Lead (Pb) Body Burden from Different Exposure Routes

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