Protecting Workers in Industries that Utilize Cobalt and Cobalt Compounds

Last month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released the 14th Report on Carcinogens (RoC). It contained newly reviewed substances that are known or reasonably anticipated to cause cancer in humans. Included in this list was the metallic element cobalt and cobalt compounds that release cobalt ions in vivo.
 
According to the National Toxicology Program (NTP), the interagency program congressionally mandated to prepare the RoC, cobalt and some cobalt compounds are being listed as reasonably anticipated to be carcinogens. California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) already included cobalt metal powder, cobalt [II] oxide, cobalt sulfate and cobalt sulfate heptahydrate in its list of substances known to the state to cause cancer for purposes of Proposition 65. 
 
Cobalt is a naturally occurring element that can be present in different forms. It is mixed with other metals to make cemented carbides, bonded diamonds and alloys that can be used to make durable industrial, consumer and military products. Rechargeable batteries, some surgical orthopedic joint implants, and pigments used to make a rich blue color for glass, tiles and ceramics are some of the products made with cobalt. Many green energy products, such as solar panels, car batteries for electric vehicles, and wind and gas turbines, are made with forms of cobalt.
 
“Workers in industries that utilize cobalt and its compounds, and people living near these facilities, could be at risk of exposure to elevated levels of these substances,” said Derrick A. Denis, V.P. of Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) at Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “CSC offers testing and consulting services for cobalt, cobalt compounds and other potentially hazardous materials to help identify occupational and environmental exposure risks. These services not only protect workers and communities, but can also be instrumental in keeping companies in compliance with existing health and safety regulations.”
 
CSC also recently sponsored an educational video about exposure issues associated with cobalt and cobalt compounds that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/ZOWNiwNPAWE
 
To learn more about this or other occupational, environmental, indoor air quality, health and safety testing services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118. 
 
About Clark Seif Clark
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address indoor air quality, occupational, environmental, and health and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.
 

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Paul Cochrane

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