Cobalt dissolved in metal-working fluid causes an ongoing outbreak of occupational asthma

The paper describes an outbreak of occupational asthma in a factory manufacturing car engine valves which contained a stellite weld to improve hardiness. This was later ground using metal-working fluid. The metal working fluid dissolved some of the cobalt from the stellite which sensitised workers not directly working with stellite containing valves after all machines were connected to a common sump. Cobalt was shown to be the cause by specific inhalation tests and skin prick tests. The lack of acceptance of cobalt as the cause delayed control by over 10 years

References

	Walters GI, Robertson AS, Moore VC, Burge PS, Cobalt asthma in metalworkers from an automotive engine valve manufacturer, Occup Med, 2014;64:358-364,

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