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Trace
Elements Laboratory |
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A
Joint Venture of London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph's
Health Care London
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Nickel
(Ni)
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| Atomic
Number: |
28 |
| Atomic
Symbol: |
Ni |
| Atomic
Weight: |
58.70 |
| Electron
Configuration: |
[Ar]4s23d8
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| GENERAL
INFORMATION |
Elemental
Nickel is non-toxic. 10% of women and 2% of men are highly
sensitive to Ni. (1). Skin rash called nickel dermatitis is
the most common reaction of exposure to nickel containing
alloys. The most serious health effects occur when nickel
is inhaled. These reactions do not correlate to blood concentration.Ni(CO)4
binds avidly to hemoglobin with the resultant inability to
bind to oxygen, leading to pulmonary congestion. The affinity
for hemoglobin is higher than carbon monoxide.Nickel exists
in our environment at 1000 times the concentration found in
biological samples. It is very easy to contaminate samples,
therefore strict collection precautions must be observed.Average
intake for adults estimated to be approximately 100 to 300
micrograms per day (µg/d). (2) |
| SOURCES |
In
natural waters, mining, smelting, alloy production and plating,
fuel combustion and waste incineration. |
| EXPOSURE
Short-term |
Industrial
settings, such as the burning of coal and other fossil fuels,
steel production, and nickel metal refining, causes nickel
to be released in to the air.Nickel is a natural element of
the earth's crust, which causes small amounts of nickel to
be found in food, water, soil, and airContact with everyday
items such as nickel-containing jewelry and stainless steel
cooking and eating utensils, and by smoking tobacco |
| EXPOSURE
Long-term |
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Dose
(or concentration) for Acute Exposure (3)
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Lethality
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Low
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Moderate
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High
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Extreme
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| Oral
LD50 |
<50
mg/kg |
50-500
mg/kg |
500-5,000
mg/kg |
>5,000
mg/kg |
| Dermal
LD50 |
<200
mg/kg |
200-2,000
mg/kg |
2000-20,000
mg/kg |
>20,000
mg/kg |
| Inhalation
LC50 |
<200
mg/m3 |
200-2,000
mg/m3 |
2,000-20,000
mg/m3 |
>20,000
mg/m3 |
| Severe
damage to kidneys and lungs Gastrointestinal distress
(diarrhea, vomiting, nausea), neurological problems |
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| TOXICITY
Signs/Symptoms |
Dermatitis
is the most common effect of nickel exposure.Chronic inhalation
leads to respiratory effects, such as nickel specific asthma,
decreased lung function, and bronchitis. Cancers of the lung,
sinus and throat have been reported in nickel smelter workers
(4). Skin rash, nausea, dizziness, chest pains, headache,
diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, coughing.If vapour inhaled,
irritation of eyes, nose, throat, swelling of brain and liver,
degeneration of liver. |
| MONITORING
Adult Testing |
Whole
blood: 1.7-34.1 nmol/LErythrocytes: 1.7-51.1 nmol/LRandom
Urine: 0.0 - 59.6 nmol/L 0.0 - 7.8 umol/mol creatinine24h
Urine: 0.0 - 85.1 nmol/dHair: 0-6.0 nmol/g |
| Alert/Action
Levels |
NA |
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TREATMENT
OPTIONS
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Precautions |
No
established treatment described. Avoid further contact with
nickel. Normal excretion is through the feces with the remaining
absorbed amount removed into the urine. |
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Interactions |
Avoid
contact by dust and soil near nickel industries.
Allergic reaction can occur from nickel jewelry and alloys. |
| REFERENCES |
1. http://www.incowatch.ca/content/4-2%20Toxicology.htm
2. http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/nickel.html
3.
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/hapintro.html#5a
4. Doll
R, Report of the international committee on nickel carcinogenesis
in man. Scand J Work Environ Health 1990;16:1-82.
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Reference range
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Analyte
Nickel
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Whole
Blood
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Erythrocytes
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Random
Urine
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24 Hour
Urine
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Hair
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1.7-34.1
nmol/L
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1.7-51.1nmol/L
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0.0
- 59.6 nmol/L
0.0
- 7.8 umol/mol creatinine
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0.0
- 85.1 nmol/d
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0-6.0
nmol/g
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** Reference
range is tissue dependent.
Method of
Analysis: High Resolution ICP/MS
Test available:
Monday - Friday 0800 - 1600 h
Turnaround Time: Average 5-10 days
Maximum 10 days
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