What does cobalt do to the human body?

What does cobalt do to the human body?

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.

Is cobalt present in human body?

Cobalt is an essential trace element for the human body and can occur in organic and inorganic forms. Cobalt gets into the body in several ways: firstly, with food; secondly by the respiratory system; thirdly, by the skin; and finally, as a component of biomaterials.

Is cobalt toxic 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.

Is cobalt present in vitamin B12?

Cobalt is also an essential trace element for humans, and is found at the centre of vitamin B12 and a range of other co-enzymes called cobalamins. Even though the body contains only 2–5 mg of vitamin B12, its involvement in the production of red blood cells means it is vital to life.

Why is cobalt essential for life?

Cobalt is a trace element in the Earth system yet plays an important role in life, being the metal center of vitamin B12, which is crucial to various methyltransferase enzymes. More modern, non-cobalt based pathways such as photosynthesis may have evolved in response to reduction in cobalt availability.

What foods are high in cobalt?

Some of the dietary sources that are abundant in cobalt include red meat, milk, fish, cabbage, figs and turnips.

What is cobalt poisoning?

Cobalt poisoning is intoxication caused by excessive levels of cobalt in the body. Cobalt is an essential element for health in animals in minute amounts as a component of Vitamin B12. A deficiency of cobalt, which is very rare, is also potentially lethal, leading to pernicious anemia.

How do you get manganese poisoning?

Although the workplace is the most common source of excess inhalation of manganese, frequent inhalation of fumes from welding activities in the home can produce a risk of excess manganese exposure leading to neurological symptoms.

What is a good food source of cobalt?

Good food sources of cobalt include:

• fish.
• nuts.
• green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli and spinach.
• cereals, such as oats.

Is there cobalt in methylcobalamin?

Vitamin B12 supplements are typically derived from two sources: cyanocobalamin or methylcobalamin. Both are nearly identical and contain a cobalt ion surrounded by a corrin ring.