Cobalt, Urine Test

This urine test monitors for industrial exposure to cobalt.

Cobalt is employed industrially in certain grades of steel and in tungsten carbide tools, and cobalt compounds are used as pigments in paints. In addition, cobalt is an essential element in man, supplied through dietary intake at an average of 280 μg/day.

Although cobalt is found in the general environment, overexposure typically occurs in the industrial environment, primarily through the inhalation of cobalt dust and/or fumes. Cobalt exposure can also occur as a result of ingesting medications such as cobaltous chloride. Blood is the preferred specimen for measuring acute or recent exposure.

Cobalt poisoning through chronic exposure may result in the following:

• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Cough
• Dyspnea
• Acute exposures are generally characterized by an allergic dermatitis