US EPA

1238098 

Journal Article 

Contact Dermatitis Caused by Cobalt Naphthenate 

Bedello, PG; Goitre, M; Alovisi, V; Cane, D 

1984 

Yes 

Contact Dermatitis
ISSN: 0105-1873
EISSN: 1600-0536 

NIOSH/00173048 

11 

4 

247 

English 

6238798 

10.1111/j.1600-0536.1984.tb00991.x 

Two cases of contact allergies to cobalt-naphthenate (61789513) were described in workers in contact with rubber. A 41 year old nurse presented with facial dermatitis after wearing a black rubber mask during the sterilization of instruments with ethylene-oxide. Her dermatitis would improve when she was away from work and flare up again when she returned. The second patient was a 21 year old woman who was employed in the insertion of rubber windscreen wiper blades into the metal supports. She had dermatitis of the hands which disappeared after she changed jobs. Neither patient had dental bridge work or a history of sensitivity to metals. Patch tests with the standard rubber series, nickel-sulfate, and potassium-dichromate were negative. Patch tests were positive for cobalt-sulfate and cobalt-naphthenate at 2 percent concentration in petrolatum in both patients. Twenty comparisons tested negative to the two compounds at 48 and 72 hours. The authors state that these cases are apparently the first reported instances of sensitivity to cobalt-naphthenate in the rubber industry. 

DCN-160030; Health care personnel; Heavy metals; Cobalt compounds; Occupational exposure; Sensitivity testing; Skin irritants; Chemical hypersensitivity; Allergens; Allergic reactions; Occupational dermatitis; Synthetic rubbers