Animalscaretips
A deficiency of cobalt, which is very rare, is also potentially lethal, leading to pernicious anemia. Exposure to cobalt metal dust is most common in the fabrication of tungsten carbide. Another source is from wear and tear of certain metal-on-metal hip prostheses.
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| Cobalt poisoning | |
|---|---|
| Cobalt | |
| Specialty | Toxicology |
- Is cobalt harmful to humans?
- How is cobalt dangerous?
- What happens if you eat cobalt?
- Is cobalt a toxic chemical?
- What can cobalt poisoning do?
- What diseases can cobalt cause?
- Is cobalt harmful in drinking water?
- How do you test for cobalt poisoning?
- Is there a cure for Metallosis?
- Can you get cobalt poisoning from a hip replacement?
- Why is cobalt used in hip replacements?
- How do you get cobalt poison?
- How did Richard get cobalt poisoning?
Is cobalt harmful to humans?
It can harm the eyes, skin, heart, and lungs. Exposure to cobalt may cause cancer. Workers may be harmed from exposure to cobalt and cobalt-containing products. The level of harm depends upon the dose, duration, and work being done.
How is cobalt dangerous?
* Exposure to Cobalt dust can irritate the skin, eyes, nose and throat. * Cobalt may cause an asthma-like allergy. Future exposure can cause asthma attacks with shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, and/or chest tightness. * Cobalt may affect the heart, thyroid, liver and kidneys.
What happens if you eat cobalt?
Other health effects associated with exposure to high levels of cobalt through ingestion may include: nausea and vomiting, vision problems, dermatitis, thyroid damage, severe damage to the heart, and even death.
Is cobalt a toxic chemical?
Cobalt (Co) is an essential trace element well known as a constituent of vitamin B12, but different compounds of Co are also described as highly toxic and/or radiotoxic for individuals or the environment.
What can cobalt poisoning do?
It may cause nausea and vomiting. However, absorbing a large amount of cobalt over longer periods of time can lead to serious health problems, such as: Cardiomyopathy (a problem where your heart becomes big and floppy and has problems pumping blood) Deafness.
What diseases can cobalt cause?
Cobalt is toxic to the heart muscle. It can cause heart muscle disease (toxic cardiomyopathy) after too much exposure. An increase in red blood cells (polycythemia) may be a symptom of too much cobalt. Not treating this issue can cause congestive heart failure.
Is cobalt harmful in drinking water?
Based on the animal data, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that cobalt is possibly carcinogenic to humans. ... Short-term exposure of rats to high levels of cobalt in the food or drinking water results in effects on the blood, liver, kidneys, and heart.
How do you test for cobalt poisoning?
The diagnosis of cobalt toxicity is based on the combination of clinical history and laboratory confirmation. The preferred method of testing is inductively coupled mass spectrometry for metal ion value determination, and the typical patient specimens tested include serum, whole blood, or urine.
Is there a cure for Metallosis?
Metallosis Treatment
Surgery to remove and replace the worn metal-on-metal is the only treatment for metallosis. It stops the release of further metal ions. The doctor will remove diseased bone and tissue around the implant.
Can you get cobalt poisoning from a hip replacement?
Cobalt poisoning from hip prosthesis is rare but debilitating. It's caused when the metal wears and introduces cobalt into the bloodstream. This is a known risk with metal-on-metal implants, but newer data are showing that it is also a risk with metal-on-polyethylene implants.
Why is cobalt used in hip replacements?
Many metal hip replacements were constructed using a hard metal called cobalt in order to extend the life of the hip replacement. As hip replacements fail and metal flakes enter the body, patients can suffer from cobalt toxicity (elevated cobalt levels).
How do you get cobalt poison?
There are three basic ways that cobalt can cause poisoning. You can swallow it, breathe it into your lungs, or have it come in constant contact with your skin. Cobalt poisoning can also occur from the wear and tear of some cobalt/chromium metal-on-metal hip implants.
How did Richard get cobalt poisoning?
In the season 16 finale, Richard (James Pickens Jr) was revealed to have cobalt poisoning from a leaky hip replacement. Atticus 'Link' Lincoln removed the cobalt by the episode's end.
