Nickel Cas No. 744-02-0

Nickel

Cas No. 744-02-0

Potential sources and exposure

Nickel is a naturally occurring metal that is mined and is combined with other

metals to form alloys. Nickel is emitted into the air through fossil fuel

combustion, incinerators, chemical and cement manufacturing, coke ovens, and

nickel recovery operations. Evidence has accumulated indicating that nickel may

be a trace metal essential for human health.

Physical and chemical properties

Property

Value

Molecular weight

58.69 g/mol

insoluble at 25 oC

Water solubility

Koc

No data

log Kow

No data

Henry's Law Constant

No data

Toxicity

The target organs of nickel toxicity are skin and lungs. Allergic contact

dermatitis to nickel-containing metals is common in the general public. The

major adverse effects seen as a result of high exposure levels to nickel, likely

found only in the workplace, include dermatitis, chemical pneumonitis, and lung

and nasal cancers. Nickel carbonyl is extremely toxic, resulting in chest pain, dry

coughing, cyanosis, gastrointestinal symptoms, sweating, visual impairment, and

weakness. This is often followed by pulmonary hemorrhage and edema.

Survivors may be left with pulmonary fibrosis.

The USEPA classifies nickel as a Group A - Human Carcinogen based on

epidemiological studies in which a causal association exists between exposure to

nickel refinery dust and lung and nasal tumors.

Toxicokinetics

Nickel is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Absorption from the

respiratory tract is dependent on the solubility of the nickel compounds, with

higher urinary nickel observed in workers exposed to soluble nickel compounds

(Ni chloride, Ni sulfate) than those exposed to insoluble nickel compounds

(Ni oxide, Ni subsulfide). Nickel applied directly to the skin can be absorbed

D52

Appendix D Toxicological Profiles