An outbreak of occupational asthma due to chromium and cobalt

Abstract

Chromium salt and cobalt can be responsible for OA and OR in workers exposed to MWF aerosols. Onset of symptoms in those with positive specific challenges followed change in MWF brand. Workers with OA had increased urinary concentrations of chromium and cobalt, and those with OR had increased urinary concentrations of chromium.

Health hazard evaluation report: evaluation of skin and respiratory symptoms among employees with exposure to metals, metalworking fluids, and noise at an orthopedic implant manufacturer.

“…Each of these substances can result in nasal symptoms and contact dermatitis, both irritant and allergic [Gheysens et al 1985;Burton et al 2012;Walters et al 2012]. The results of our exposure assessment, medical interviews, and analysis of the health questionnaire suggest that cobalt dust exposure was a likely cause of nasal, respiratory, and skin symptoms reported by femoral finishers.…”

“…However, machinists could have cobalt and chromium exposure from the tungsten carbide machining tools. Studies have found that machining with these tools can potentially leach cobalt and chromium into MWFs [Sjogren et al 1980;Walters et al 2012], which can be inhaled via MWF mist or contacted through skin contamination. Our results for cobalt and chromium in used MWF samples were consistent with this finding.…”

“…OELs for titanium dioxide exist, but this compound has properties and effects that differ from titanium metal and is beyond the scope of this evaluation. Cobalt exposure has been associated with the development of occupational asthma, pneumoconiosis (a restrictive lung disease caused from inhaling dust), heart problems, and allergic contact dermatitis [Sjogren et al 1980;Gheysens et al 1985;Walters et al 2012]. Some studies have shown that low levels of cobalt can lead to a decrease in lung function [Rehfisch et al 2015].…”

Measurement of Different Heavy Metals Concentration in Roadside Dust in the Vicinity of Gujrat, Pakistan

“…Cobalt has been found to produce tumors in animals and is likely a human carcinogen as well. Occupational exposure to cobalt powder has been linked to vision, asthma and hearing problems [41].…”

Biological and chemical hazards in water-mix metalworking fluids and mists

“…For example, a study conducted by Walters et al, (2012) set out to determine the extent of an outbreak of OA in a machining plant that used MWF. This study was instigated after five employees were referred to the Chest Clinic, Birmingham.…”