Working environment factors
How does Cobalt affect workers’ health?
Mar
Cobalt (Co) is a widely used metal in manufacturing, but it also poses health risks to workers. This article will explore the health effects of cobalt on workers in factory environments where this chemical is used.
1. What is Cobalt?
Cobalt (Co) is a transition metal in the periodic table of elements, with the chemical symbol Co and atomic number 27. It is a hard, gray, ductile, and malleable metallic element. Cobalt exists mainly in compounds, especially in cobalt oxide and cobalt sulfate compounds, and rarely appears as a pure metal in nature.
Cobalt was first discovered in 1735 by the Swedish chemist Georg Brandt, when he noticed that cobalt-containing ore was not only toxic but could also create a special blue color in glass. However, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that people began to better understand the properties and industrial applications of cobalt.
Cobalt is widely used in the production of superalloys, rechargeable batteries, and in medicine to create cancer-treating drugs and vitamin B12. However, despite its many important applications, cobalt can also be harmful to health with long-term exposure or at high concentrations, especially for workers in manufacturing plants that use this chemical.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Coban | Cobalt | 28220000 or 810520 | 17440-48-4 | Co |
See more: chemical safety training service according to Decree 113/2017/NĐ-CP
REGISTER FOR CHEMICAL SAFETY TRAINING ACCORDING TO DECREE 113
2. Where does Cobalt originate from during the production process?
During the production process, cobalt primarily originates from the processing of ores containing this metal. When factories mine and process ore, cobalt is extracted from natural minerals such as cobaltite, smaltite, or erythrite. In these processes, cobalt can appear in compound forms like cobalt oxide or cobalt sulfate, which are used in many industries.
Cobalt can also be generated during the production of other metals, such as steel or alloys. In these processes, cobalt is often added to improve the properties of the alloy, such as hardness, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability. Additionally, the recycling of old metals or batteries can also produce a certain amount of cobalt, especially when these materials are not handled properly.
Although cobalt is present in many industrial products, its production process in factories is the main source of this metal’s release into the air, water, and soil. In these areas, cobalt can exist as dust or vapor, posing a health hazard if not strictly controlled.
3. Industries that use Cobalt in production
This metal is widely used in various industries, especially those requiring superalloys and high corrosion resistance. In the battery manufacturing industry, cobalt is a crucial component in lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used in mobile electronic devices, electric vehicles, and energy storage devices.
The alloy manufacturing industry is another field where cobalt is present. This metal is added to alloys to improve the material’s durability, heat resistance, and hardness. Cobalt alloys are often used in applications that demand superior mechanical properties, such as aircraft engines, gas turbines, and spacecraft components.
In addition, cobalt is also used in the paint and dye industry, thanks to its ability to create a distinctive blue color. Cobalt compounds are also used in the production of catalysts in the petroleum and chemical industries, helping to enhance the efficiency of chemical reactions.
In medicine, cobalt plays an important role in the production of products like vitamin B12 and in radiotherapy, using the radioactive source cobalt-60 to treat cancer. These industries all involve the use of cobalt, making this metal an indispensable component in manufacturing and technological development.
4. How does Cobalt affect workers?
When workers are exposed to cobalt in the workplace, it can cause many adverse health effects. In particular, workers in manufacturing plants that use cobalt or its compounds are at risk of being affected by cobalt vapor, dust, or gas in the air.
One of the first dangerous effects is its potential to irritate the respiratory system. Inhaling cobalt dust can lead to problems such as pneumonia, coughing, difficulty breathing, and other serious lung diseases. Additionally, workers may experience skin problems, such as contact dermatitis, when cobalt comes into direct contact with the skin during work.
Cobalt can also affect cardiovascular and nervous system functions. Research shows that long-term exposure to cobalt can lead to cardiovascular problems like heart rhythm disorders or high blood pressure. Especially when workers are exposed to high levels for long periods, the risk of neurological diseases such as nerve disorders, headaches, and similar symptoms also increases.
More serious effects can be acute or chronic cobalt poisoning. When overexposed to cobalt, the body can be poisoned, causing symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and reduced immune function. In severe cases, cobalt poisoning can lead to long-term health problems or even death if not treated promptly.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Cobalt for human exposure
In Vietnam, Circular 10/2019/TT-BYT issued the National Technical Regulation on permissible exposure limits for 50 chemical factors in the workplace, which includes cobalt and its compounds. However, this document does not specify the permissible exposure limit value for cobalt.
Globally, organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have established permissible exposure limits for cobalt. OSHA has set a permissible exposure limit (PEL) for cobalt at 0.1 mg/m³, averaged over an 8-hour work shift. Similarly, NIOSH recommends a recommended exposure limit (REL) for cobalt of 0.05 mg/m³, averaged over a 10-hour workday. In addition, the Cobalt Institute has proposed a health-based occupational exposure limit of 20 µg/m³ for cobalt and its compounds.
At a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, it is important to adhere to safety standards and limit exposure to Cobalt. Organizations like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States provide guidelines and safety principles to protect workers from the negative effects of chemical substances.
6. Measures to mitigate the health effects of Cobalt on workers
To minimize the health effects of cobalt on workers, preventive and control measures in the workplace are very important. One of the most basic and effective measures is to improve the ventilation system in production areas. Ensuring that the air in the factory is always well-circulated, removing toxic gases and cobalt dust, will significantly reduce the concentration of cobalt in the air, thereby limiting workers’ exposure to this metal.
In addition, providing adequate personal protective equipment for workers is an indispensable factor. Dust masks, gloves, protective clothing, and safety glasses can prevent direct contact with cobalt, especially when working with cobalt-containing compounds. The use of protective equipment must be guided and regularly checked to ensure its effectiveness.
Besides personal protective measures, training workers on the health risks of working with cobalt also plays an important role. Workers need to be equipped with knowledge about preventive measures, how to recognize danger signs, and how to respond in case of an incident. Along with that, regular health check-ups are also a measure to help detect early symptoms related to cobalt poisoning, allowing for timely treatment.
Production facilities should also focus on replacing cobalt with safer materials, if possible. This not only helps protect the health of workers but also reduces risks to the environment.
Occupational safety training: Workers need to be trained and educated on the risks and safety measures when working with this type of chemical. This training should be provided periodically and regularly to ensure understanding and proper compliance with safety rules.
Periodically organize workplace environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collecting and analyzing factors harmful to workers, thereby adjusting to reduce hazard levels to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National Workplace Environment Monitoring Center
Nam Viet’s Workplace Environment Monitoring Center is a professional unit specializing in monitoring and measuring the quality of the working environment across all provinces in Vietnam. With a team of experienced monitoring specialists, the center uses modern measuring equipment, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
REGISTER FOR WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE
In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also assists clients in planning, handling, and tracking workplace environment issues. With the motto “the customer is the center,” the center focuses on customer satisfaction, meeting all customer needs, and committing to providing the best solutions for businesses.
With investment in techniques, technology, and personnel, Nam Viet’s monitoring center has become one of the reputable units in the field of workplace environment monitoring in Ho Chi Minh City with the following objectives:
- We always value our brand reputation and the quality of our products and services.
- We provide our customers with the best and most suitable solutions possible.
- With a team of experienced Masters and Engineers with a desire to protect the environment and benefit businesses.
- With Nam Viet’s Environmental Monitoring team, your company will receive professional service from experts in the monitoring field. You will also get the best offers on costs.
8. Workplace Environment Monitoring Price Quotation
To help businesses carry out workplace environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet offers our customers a price quotation for quality and reasonably priced workplace environment monitoring services.
- Our price quotation provides detailed information on the prices of the monitoring services we offer. This includes costs related to travel, measurement, analysis, and result reporting. Customers can be completely assured of the accuracy and reliability of the monitoring result reports we provide.
- We are committed to always offering the most competitive and reasonable prices on the market, and we are always ready to provide consultation and answer any questions about our monitoring services quickly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s price quotation, customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing our customers the highest satisfaction with our professional quality service.
