| hazards summary | Nickel is a very abundant natural element. Pure nickel is a hard, silvery-white metal. Nickel can be combined with other metals, such as iron, copper, chromium, and zinc, to form alloys. These alloys are used to make coins, jewelry, and items such as valves and heat exchangers. Most nickel is used to make stainless steel. Nickel can combine with other elements such as chlorine, sulfur, and oxygen to form nickel compounds. Many nickel compounds dissolve fairly easy in water and have a green color. Nickel compounds are used for nickel plating, to color ceramics, to make some batteries, and as substances known as catalysts that increase the rate of chemical reactions. Nickel is found in all soil and is emitted from volcanoes. Nickel is also found in meteorites and on the ocean floor. Nickel and its compounds have no characteristic odor or taste.Nickel occurs naturally in the environment at low levels. Nickel is an essential element in some animal species, and it has been suggested it may be essential for human nutrition. Nickel dermatitis, consisting of itching of the fingers, hands, and forearms, is the most common effect in humans from chronic (long-term) skin contact with nickel. Respiratory effects have also been reported in humans from inhalation exposure to nickel. Human and animal studies have reported an increased risk of lung and nasal cancers from exposure to nickel refinery dusts and nickel subsulfide. Animal studies of soluble nickel compounds (i.e., nickel carbonyl) have reported lung tumors. EPA has classified nickel refinery dust and nickel subsulfide as Group A, human carcinogens, and nickel carbonyl as a Group B2, probable human carcinogen.Nickel carbonyl can cause acute pneumonitis. Asthma: metal plating. Most OA cases caused by nickel were single case reports. Allergic contact dermatitis: electronics workers, hairdressers, housekeeping personnel, textile workers, and machinists. About one half of nickel produced is used in stainless steel alloys. Sulfur-rich stainless steels are more likely to react with sweat, be absorbed in the skin, and cause sensitization. The prevalence of nickel skin allergy is higher in women (up to 17%) than in men (up to 3%) because of greater exposure to ear piercing and cheap jewelry. Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) has been reported in electroplaters, battery workers, electronics workers, machinists, hairdressers, mechanics, and construction workers. ACD has also been reported in a bank clerk, a bartender, an engraver, a potter, and in tailors, offset printers, butchers, and musicians. The dimethylglyoxime test (Fisher's test) can detect nickel release from tools and jewelry. Nickel causes contact urticaria. In high-dose animal studies, nickel and nickel carbonyl cause birth defects. The relevance of a positive patch test to occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) is difficult to evaluate in most cases. Nickel is not considered relevant in about 64% of OCD cases. Nickel is hepatotoxic. Elemental nickel and nickel alloys are possible human carcinogens. nickel compounds are known human carcinogens. The highest risks were found in calcining workers heavily exposed to nickel oxides and sulfides. Soluble nickel (nickel sulfate) was associated with increased risks in hydrometallurgy workers. Nickel elemental = A5. Soluble inorganic compounds = A4. Insoluble inorganic compounds = A1. Nickel subsulfide = A1. Increased risk of lung and nasal sinus cancer in nickel refinery workers exposed to >1 mg Ni/m3 (soluble nickel) and >10 mg/m3 (insoluble nickel). Metallic nickel is listed as anticipated and nickel compounds are listed as known human carcinogens. Several cohort studies of workers exposed to various nickel compounds showed an elevated risk of death from lung cancer and nasal cancer. Although the precise nickel compound responsible for the carcinogenic effects in humans is not always clear, studies indicate that nickel sulfate and combinations of nickel sulfides and oxides encountered in nickel refining industries cause cancer in humans. See Nickel carbonyl. |