Features of cobalt and its compounds intoxication

Abstract

Cobalt is used in the manufacture of chemically stable alloys, in nickel-cadmium and some designs of lithium-ion batte­ries, to obtain some paints used in painting glass and ceramics. It is also used as a catalyst for chemical reactions in petrochemistry, the polymer industry and other processes. A variety of machining tools are created from cobalt alloys. Cobalt alloys have high hardness and wear resistance, they are used in prosthetics, both in dentistry and surgery. Regarding the importance of cobalt for the body, cobalt is a cofactor and activator of enzymes, binds nitrogen in the production of amino acids, cobalt atom is a central component of vitamin B12, which is a cofactor and activator for several essential enzymes. Excessive ingestion of cobalt and its compounds deve­lops poisoning. Nowadays, most intoxications occur in the workplace. In a production environment, workers are exposed mainly to inhalation aerosols of cobalt or its oxides. The MPC of cobalt metal and Co oxide is 0.5 mg/m3. Cobalt is included in the list of industrial poisons and belongs to the second class of danger. The toxicity of cobalt is well studied and can be both acute and chronic poisoning by this element and its compounds. Reacting with sulphydryl groups of proteins, it inactivates thioenzymes. Cobalt and its compounds have an irritating, general toxic effect on the blood, respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous systems. Toxic effect in the acute form provokes the lesion of the bronchopulmonary system (fever, acute rhinitis, acute pharyngitis, acute laryngitis). Acute poisoning with cobalt and its compounds is accompanied by the phenomena of respiratory failure and the development of cobalt cardiomyopathy. Polycythemia and thyroid dysfunction due to its hyperplasia and goiter development also develop. Chronic intoxications manifest themselves in the form of occupational bronchial asthma and giant cell interstitial pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumosclerosis. Discontinuation of exposure usually results in a rapid reduction in some complaints and a partial improvement in lung function. In other cases, treatment is symptomatic and supportive. Depending on the route of entry of the toxicant into the body, it is necessary to carry out certain measures aimed at stopping the action of the toxic substance on the patient’s body. As antidote therapy chelates are used: EDTA, thetacin-calcium, cuprenil, belonging to the chelating compounds and forming easily soluble low molecular weight complexes with metals that are rapidly excreted from the body through the kidneys. Also, succimer is used as an antidote administered within two hours after poisoning. Unithiol can also be used as an antidote, administered within 6 hours of poisoning. The non-specific antidote is activated carbon. The most effective as non-specific antidotes are the use of synthetic and natural coal with high sorption capacity.

Keywords

• cobalt
• cobalt poisoning
• cobalt cardiomyopathy
• occupational bronchial asthma
• cobalt alloys
• review