Nickel carcinogenic effect

Levels of exposure associated with carcinogenic effects (Cancer Effect Levels, CELs) of nickel are indicated in Table 2-1 and Figure 2-1. Because cancer effects could occur at lower exposure levels, Figure 2-1 also shows a range for the upper bound of estimated excess risks, ranging from a risk of 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 10,000,000 (10 " to 10 ), as developed by EPA. 

Duimick JK, Elwell MR, Radovsky AE, et al. 1995. Comparative carcinogenic effects of nickel subsulfide, nickel oxide, or nickel sulfate chronic exposure in the lung. Cancer Research 55 5251-5256. 

A recent review by Hausinger (29) deals with nickel utilization by microorganisms. In addition to known effects of nickel deficiencies, nickel and its compounds are known to have toxic and carcinogenic effects. The reader is referred to recent proceedings (30a, 30b). 

Toxic and carcinogenic effects of nickel compounds are associated with nickel-mediated oxidative damage to DNA and proteins and to inhibition of cellular antioxidant defenses. Most authorities agree that albumin is the main transport protein for nickel in humans and animals and that nickel is also found in nickeloplasmin - a nickel-containing alpha-macroglobulin - and in an ultrafilterable semm fraction similar to a nickel-histidine complex. Normal routes of nickel intake for humans and animals are ingestion, inhalation, and... 

Sunderman FW Jr, McCully KS. 1983. Effects of manganese compounds on carcinogenicity of nickel subsulfide in rats. Carcinogenesis 4 461-465. 

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