Occupational exposure to cobalt is not associated with incipient signs of dilated cardiomyopathy in a Belgian refinery

Lantin, Anne-Catherine;Vermeulen, Jan;Mallants, Alex;Vanoverschelde, Jean-Louis;Lison, Dominique;et.al.
(2013) Occupational and Environmental Medicine : an international peer-reviewed journal in all aspects of occupational & environmental medicine — Vol. 70, n° 6, p. 386-392 (2013)

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Authors
  • Lantin, Anne-CatherineUCLouvain
    Author
  • Vermeulen, Jan
    Author
  • Mallants, Alex
    Author
  • Vanoverschelde, Jean-LouisUCLouvain
    Author
  • Speybroeck, NikoUCLouvain
    Author
  • Hoet, PerrineUCLouvain
    Author
  • Lison, Dominiqueorcid-logoUCLouvain
    Author
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Excessive absorption of cobalt has been associated with cases of dilated cardiomyopathy in the past, but it is unclear whether occupationally exposed populations are at risk. OBJECTIVE: To assess the possible relationship between occupational exposure to cobalt and incipient signs of dilated cardiomyopathy. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a cobalt production facility in Belgium constituting one of the largest occupational populations worldwide (n=256 male workers). Exposure to cobalt was assessed by measuring urinary cobalt concentration (µg/gcreat), reflecting recent exposure, and by computing an integrated exposure index (µg/gcreat×years), reflecting long-term exposure. The effect on the myocardium was investigated by echocardiography and electrocardiography, and dose-effect relations with cobalt exposure were traced by multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: No dose-effect relationship between exposure to cobalt and parameters reflecting dilated cardiomyopathy was found in a population of workers characterised by a median recent cobalturia of 4 µg/gcreat and a median long-term cobalturia of 100 µg/gcreat×years. A reduction in the dimensions of the left ventricular internal cavity was associated with recent exposure to cobalt. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational exposure to cobalt does not appear associated with incipient signs of dilated cardiomyopathy within the gradient of exposure recorded in this population.
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Lantin, A.-C., Vermeulen, J., Mallants, A., Vanoverschelde, J.-L., Speybroeck, N., Swennen, B., Hoet, P., & Lison, D. (2013). Occupational exposure to cobalt is not associated with incipient signs of dilated cardiomyopathy in a Belgian refinery. Occupational and Environmental Medicine : an international peer-reviewed journal in all aspects of occupational & environmental medicine, 70(6), 386-392. https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2012-100930 (Original work published 2013)