Causes and Risks:

• cobalt

Where Found:

• some mineral supplements
• antifoaming agent in beer production
• hair dyes and tints
• as a pigment in some paints

Symptoms: from swallowing:

• body as a whole
  • convulsions
  • pain
  • weakness
• respiratory
  • shortness of breath
• eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • deafness
  • problems with vision
  • nosebleeds
• skin
  • itching
• gastrointestinal
  • vomiting
• heart and blood vessels
  • low blood pressure
• nervous system
  • headache
  • fatigue
  • lightheadedness

• respiratory
  • shortness of breath
• skin
  • rash

Home Treatment: None. Call Poison Control for guidance.

If instructed to induce emesis, proceed as follows or as otherwise instructed:

Give the usual dose of ipecac syrup: 15 milliliters (ml) or 1 TABLEspoonful for children and 30 ml (2 TABLEspoonsful) for an adult. Follow with 1/2 glass or 4 ounces (oz.) of water for children or 8 to 12 oz. of water for adults. Repeat 1 more time in 1/2 hour if emesis has not occurred.

Before Calling Emergency: Determine the following information:

• the patient’s age, weight, and condition
• the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
• the time it was swallowed
• the amount swallowed

Call Poison Control: They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What To Expect: Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Give an antidote.
• Treat the symptoms.

If treated promptly under proper medical care, poisoning is rarely severe, unless the toxicity is due to a long-time accumulation. In that case the ultimate outcome depends on what damage has occurred in body organs affected by the metal.