A descriptive study of cobalt asthma in metal workers
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A descriptive study of cobalt asthma in metal workers
IRAS ID
136222
Contact name
Gareth Walters
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
Occupational exposure to cobalt (hard metal) confers a risk of worker sensitization, and therefore the onset of allergic diseases such as asthma, extrinsic alveolitis and dermatitis. Cobalt asthma has been reported in diamond polishers and cobalt-production workers, but rarely in metal workers.
We aim to describe the occupational exposures and worker characteristics associated with cobalt asthma among metal workers in the West Midlands, UK bu undertaking a review of notifications to the West Midlands SHIELD database for occupational asthma 1995-2011, from employees at a manufacturer of cobalt-tipped valves.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
13/NS/0097
Date of REC Opinion
23 Jul 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion