HEALTH EFFECTS OF NICKEL

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HEALTH EFFECTS OF NICKEL

• by
• Rebecca Green F.I.M.F.
• Consultant to the Nickel Institute

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FORMS TO BE CONSIDERED

• Ni metal dusts usually insoluble
• Partially soluble Ni salts
• nickel oxides, sulphides, carbonate
• Soluble Ni salts
• nickel sulphate, nickel chloride
• This presentation will mainly consider the health
  effects of soluble nickel salts.

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MOBILITY EXCRETION

• Ni metal dusts
• NiO, NiS
• NiSO4, NiCl2

• Little transport away from absorption site
• Excreted via faeces. May stay in body for years
• Some transport away from absorption site
• Excreted via kidney faeces. ½ life in body
  200 days
• Transported around body to all organs
• Excreted via kidney after 28hrs. May stay in
  lungs for years

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ACUTE CHRONIC EXPOSURE

• Acute exposure usually
• One-off
• Relatively high dose
• Chronic exposure usually
• Over a long period of time months or years
• Relatively small dose, (though not necessarily)

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ROUTES OF EXPOSURE

• Inhalation breathing in dust, fume mists
• Ingestion (oral) by mouth
• Dermal (skin/eyes) skin or clothing
  contamination

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EFFECTS OF ACUTE Ni INHALATION

• death (Ni dust) after 90 min exposure
• 1 reported case
• asthma (fumes), an electroplater who later
  developed Ni dermatitis

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EFFECTS OF CHRONIC Ni INHALATION

• Increased risk of cancer in
• lung, specially soluble species, gt1mg/m3
• nasal, dust partially soluble species
• stomach, 1 study of UK electroplaters
• Non-malignant lung damage (like miners lung)
• Asthma
• Rhinitis sinusitis
• Damage to septum of nose
• Loss of or reduced sense of smell

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EFFECTS OF Ni INGESTION

• Acute
• Death, 2 yr old ingested 570mg Ni/Kg BW
• Nausea, vomiting, giddiness, lassitude,
  palpitations, headache, cough. Recovery within 8
  days.
• Chronic
• may provoke dermatitis in sensitised individuals
  (e.g. diet high in Ni)
• no others reported in humans

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EFFECTS OF SKIN EXPOSURE TO NICKEL

• Acute
• Eyes conjunctivitis, floods of tears
• Skin contact dermatitis.
• To develop, skin must first be sensitised by
  contact. Any subsequent contact then results in
  dermatitis.
• Chronic
• Eyes none reported in humans
• Skin contact dermatitis
• Little reported evidence of transport through
  system for Ni absorbed through skin.

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OTHER HEALTH EFFECTS OF Ni ABSORPTION

• Immune System
• May over stimulate immune system
• Nervous System
• Symptoms reported in acute exposures
• Genetic Effects
• Some evidence of genetic damage
• Reproduction, Embryotoxicity, Teratogenicity
• No reliable human data available

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IN SUMMARY

• Main effects of acute Ni absorption through
• Inhalation
• death (1case)
• asthma, irritation of upper respiratory tract
• Skin Eyes
• conjunctivitis, running eyes
• dermatitis
• Ingestion
• death (1case)
• vomiting, giddiness, palpitations, lassitude,
  cough

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IN SUMMARY

• Main effects of chronic Ni absorption
• Exposure by Inhalation
• Risk significantly increased at levels gt1mg/m3
  (soluble) 10mg/m3 (less/insoluble)
• increased risk of cancers
• long term damage to the respiratory tract
• asthma

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IN SUMMARY

• Main effects of chronic Ni absorption
• Exposure by Ingestion
• no long term effects reported
• Exposure through the Skin Eyes
• Dermatitis (Ni itch)
• NiCl2 is more potent sensitiser than NiSO4

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REFERENCES

• R. Von Burg, Journal of Applied Toxicology, vol
  17(6), 425-431(1997)
• International Programme on Chemical Safety,
  Environmental Health Criteria 108, Nickel, World
  Health Organization Geneva, 1991
• Toxicological Profile for Ni, 2005, Dept. of
  Health Human Services, Atlanta, USA
• Priority Substances List Assessment Report,
  Nickel and its Compounds, 1994, Minister of
  Supply and Services, Canada
• Toxicological Profile and Related Health Issues
  (for Physicians), 2001, Regional Niagara Public
  Health Department, Canada