Synonym(s)
6H2O; Cobalt; Cobalt allergen; Cobalt allergy; Cobalt chloride; cobalt (II) chloride; Cobalt salt
General informationThis section has been translated automatically.
Evaluation of cobalt salts with regard to the effect of allergy on the reduction of earning capacity:
- Cobalt is used in alloys, e.g. for stainless steel, magnets, machine components and for hard or sintered metals, and together with tungsten carbide for cutting inserts.
- Relevant occupational exposures: In the metal industry by direct contact with cobalt-containing metals and metal dusts or used cutting oils or lubricants and cooling lubricants when machining stainless steel or using carbide inserts. Cobalt salts are found as components of mostly blue or green colouring additives in the glass, porcelain, enamel or ceramic industry. Cobalt naphthenate or other cobalt salts of organic acids are used as siccatives in paints or as drying agents (accelerators) in the hardening of synthetic resins. Cement containing traces of cobalt can lead to a cobalt allergy, especially in bricklayers with chromate eczema.
- Effect of an allergy: Simultaneous allergic reactions to cobalt and other metals are often the expression of a parallel acquired sensitization due to exposure coupling. In these cases, the cobalt allergy does not lead to an increase in the effects of the occupational contact allergy, since allergies to nickel and/or dichromate have significantly stronger effects and the closed occupational fields largely overlap. An isolated cobalt allergy, i.e. a contact allergy to cobalt without simultaneous sensitisation to nickel and/or dichromate, has only "minor" effects on the ability to work, since only a few activities are closed, namely the activity of porcelain painter, the production and processing of hard metals, some areas of plastics production and work involving contact with cooling lubricants, if the described conditions of cobalt exposure are present. In the case of pronounced sensitisation, the handling of cement may also be closed.
LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.
- Diepgen TL et al. (2005) Evidence-based assessment of the effect of type IV allergies in the reduction of earning capacity - assessment of occupational skin diseases. Dermatologist 56: 207-223
Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer