Cobalt

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=Health=

Cobalt is a main element for all living things; almost all living animals need a small amount of cobalt in their body. Cobalt is mostly found in vitamin b-12 and is also found in certain plant life that is eaten. Although cobalt is needed in a diet, too much cobalt can lead to problems with the body. A heavy overdose can lead to many things such as organ problems, and the mutation of your own D.N.A. in most cases. It can also affect the nervous system and the regeneration system. The most interesting about cobalt is that its radioactive state, cobalt-60 is actually usedin many cancer and other radioactive treatments.

= Synthesis/ production=

Cobalt is never found alone, its mostly found combined with copper, iron, or nickel. it is mostly a by product from melting other metals. The only way to really separate the cobalt with the metals is to heat up the metals rapidly until it turns into a hot slag, then bubbles of air are put under it, making the cobalt and impurities to rise to the top. It is then scrapped from the other melted metal and collected in a big container. Cobalt is mostly used in metal items because of its high heat resistance and its ability to resist oxidation, also because it strengthens the alloy.

=Economic & political=

Most companies would be highly affected by the ban of this product, mostly metal production aeronomics, machienery, and food. Since most metals contain cobalt, then they would have to stop production until an alternative is found. Since most foods contain the element, they would have to be stripped from the shelves. Most alternatives would be somewhat expensive to replace cobalt in most metals, and prices of metal would go much higher, which would effect the economy greatly. . But the most important problem of trying to find an alternative is that you cannot alternate the vitamin that contains it. Vitamin B12 is a very important vitamin to humans, and all other life forms, without it you could die from lack of B12. .      Most products we use would mostly be banned for the removal of this element; space shuttles airliners and most other aircraft would be removed for the cobalt contained in its metal. Cars would be removed as well. metal tools and high speed metals would be Most medical equipment and radiation machines would have to be removed since cobalt-60 is used as a medical radioactive element. Most computers and electronics would be removed, along with certain house materials. Magnets that are used for most things would also be thrown out, because they contain moderate amounts of cobalt, there are many other things that contain cobalt,. Almost all countries use this element. It is used almost everywhere some businesses and most products. Cobalt is mostly mined in the countries of Russia, Canada, Australia, Morocco, Cuba, India and Indonesia. By banning this element it will affect the economy different ways. The average American would be affected greatly from this ban, they just don’t realize it. Most things we used for our busy lives will be removed from our life that make things convenient. another problem is that countrys would lose trade because of this ban, which could make them lose l moderate ammount of money