Unit of Work Environment Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Contact Dermatitis. 2018 Oct;79(4):226-231. doi: 10.1111/cod.13056. Epub 2018 Jul 16.
It is well known that hard metal workers have historically been affected by contact allergy to cobalt. Knowledge is sparse about occupational skin exposure to cobalt, in terms of skin doses and sources of exposure, which could be used to improve protection of workers.
To improve knowledge about skin doses and sources of skin exposure to cobalt within hard metal production, thereby facilitating better protection of workers.
Forty workers were sampled on the index finger by acid wipe sampling after 2 hours of work. The samples were analysed with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Cobalt spot testing was performed in the work environment.
The highest skin doses were found among raw material workers. Skin doses among other production workers were also significant. Most office workers had low, but measurable, levels of cobalt on the skin. Glove use varied between workers. Cobalt was found on production equipment, on items in the canteen area, and on handles and buttons throughout the company.
Cobalt skin doses were prominent, and originated from contact with raw materials, sintered materials, and contaminated surfaces. Cobalt was present on surfaces outside production areas. Companies need to identify and reduce skin exposure for protection of workers.
众所周知，硬质金属工人历来受到对钴的接触过敏的影响。关于职业性皮肤接触钴的情况，包括皮肤剂量和接触源，人们的了解甚少，而这些信息可以用来改善工人的保护。
提高对硬质金属生产中钴的皮肤接触剂量和来源的认识，从而为工人提供更好的保护。
在工作 2 小时后，对 40 名工人的食指进行酸擦拭采样。使用电感耦合等离子体质谱法对样本进行分析。在工作环境中进行钴斑贴试验。
在原材料工人中发现了最高的皮肤剂量。其他生产工人的皮肤剂量也显著。大多数办公室工人的皮肤有可测量的低水平钴。工人之间的手套使用情况存在差异。在生产设备、食堂区域的物品以及整个公司的手柄和按钮上都发现了钴。
钴的皮肤剂量很高，来源于与原材料、烧结材料和污染表面的接触。钴也存在于生产区域之外的表面上。公司需要识别和减少皮肤接触，以保护工人。
