Cobalt

Cobalt enters the environment from natural sources and the burning of coal or oil or the production of cobalt alloys.
In the air it will be associated with particles which will settle to the ground within a few days.
Cobalt released into water or the soil will stick to particles. Some cobalt compounds may dissolve in water.
Cobalt cannot be destroyed in the environment. It can only change its form or become attached or separated from particles. Radioactive decay is the only way of decreasing the amount of radioactive cobalt in the environment.

Exposure to cobalt can be in the following manner:

You can be exposed to low levels of cobalt by breathing air, eating food, or drinking water. Food and drinking water are the largest sources of exposure to cobalt for the general population.
Working in industries that make or use cutting or grinding tools; mine, smelt, refine, or process cobalt metal or ores; or that produce cobalt alloys or use cobalt.
The general population is rarely exposed to radioactive cobalt unless a person is undergoing radiation therapy. However, workers at nuclear facilities, irradiation facilities, or nuclear waste storage sites may be exposed to ⁶⁰Co or ⁵⁸Co.

Check out cobalt levels in your body with our easy to use, home-based, HMT Cobalt Test kit

Sample of a HMT Cobalt Regular Test kit

Sample of a HMT Cobalt Sensitive Test kit