Cobalt, Urine

Diagnostic Use

Cobalt is a naturally occurring element widely distributed in the environment, it is an essential trace element and is utilised as a component of B12. Cobalt is absorbed by inhalation and ingestion and the amount absorbed depends on the solubility, soluble compounds are easily absorbed and rapidly excreted in the urine. Due to the low level of cobalt in body fluids urine cobalt is used as a measure of occupational exposure.
Occupationally cobalt is used as an alloy in the production of hard metal (tungsten carbide), manufacture of high temperature alloys for jet engines, in magnets and as a catalyst in after burners. It is also used as an alloy in joint prostheses. Workers in the Sawdoctor and Knifegrinder industries are at risk from inhalation of cobalt from the dust created during grinding processes.

Department

Lipids/Trace Metals

Delphic Registration Code

UCO

Laboratory Handling

Registration

Send to separating if ambient on arrival. Send to lipids/trace metals if frozen on arrival.

Separating

Make aliquot for UCRN. Send primary sample to lipids/trace metals.

Turnaround Time

5 days

Test Code

4294

Specimen Type

• Urine

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• BD Urine Tube (no additive)

Acceptable

• Pottle

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

6

No of Samples Required

1

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Pottle

Acceptable

• BD Urine Tube (no additive)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

2

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

1

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Urine

Minimum Volume (ml)

5

Transport to Lab

Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)
If overnight - Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

The urine pottle used for specimen collection must be shown to be free of Cobalt contamination.

Reference Intervals

Reference Range <20 nmol/L, Cobalt/creatinine ratio 0-5 nmoL/L

Biological Exposure Index end of shift end of working week, 225nmol/L (15ug/L)

Workplace Exposure Standards 2018

Test Method

ICP-MS

Non-Funded Test Cost

$39.94 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

4294

Contact Information

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Contact Information

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