Effects of occupational exposure to cobalt on the thyroid, the red blood cells and the myocardium : epidemiological study
(2012)
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- Authors
- Supervisors
- Hoet, Perrine
- Abstract
- (en) Cobalt metal and cobalt compounds are relatively rare elements of the earth’s crust, widely used in the industry and essential element for humans in the form of vitamin B12, provided in the diet. Excessive occupational or environmental exposure to cobalt is associated with health effects on various organs, including the respiratory tract, the skin, the hematopoietic system, the thyroid gland, the myocardium and the central nervous system. Some evidence of carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic potential of cobalt has also been suggested. This work focuses on potential effects of cobalt on thyroid function, red blood cells characteristics and myocardium parameters in the workplace. In this context, some studies have been performed but they are few and sometimes conflicting. Our objectives were therefore to assess, in one of the largest occupational populations worldwide (256 workers), the levels of exposure to cobalt and the possible relationship with incipient or established signs of adverse effects on the thyroid and the red blood cells, and with incipient or established signs of dilated cardiomyopathy. By generating a ‘point on the curve’ among other investigations, we aimed at providing additional data to help determining acceptable levels of exposure in the industry. We conclude from our investigations that, at a median short-term cobalturia of ~4 µg/gcreat and at a median long-term cobalturia, computed over 0.3 to 36 years, of ~100 µg/gcreat x years, cobalt exposure is not likely to interfere with thyroid metabolism or with the production of red blood cells, nor to induce dilated cardiomyopathy. The recommended biological limit of occupational exposure (15 µg/gcreat in urine) appears therefore sufficiently protective for the workers.
- Affiliations
Citations
Lantin, A.-C. (2012). Effects of occupational exposure to cobalt on the thyroid, the red blood cells and the myocardium : epidemiological study. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/158575