Occupational exposure nickel

Chronic exposure Nickel aerosols, occupational exposure Nickel particulates... 

Although most nickel sensitization results from nonoccupational exposures, nickel dermatitis was historically a problem in workplaces where there was a high risk of continuous contact with soluble nickel, eg, in electroplating (qv) shops. Improved personal and industrial hygiene has largely eliminated this problem. However, there are a few occupations involving wet nickel work, particularly where detergents faciUtate the penetration of skin by nickel, where hand eczema may occur (126). 

Occupational exposure to dust of cemented carbide that contains more than 0.3% nickel needs to be controlled so that employees are not exposed at a concentration greater than 15 p.g nickel/m air, determined as TWA concentration for up to a 10-h workshift in a 40-h workweek. 

During occupational exposure, respiratory absorption of soluble and insoluble nickel compounds is the major route of entry, with gastrointestinal absorption secondary (WHO 1991). Inhalation exposure studies of nickel in humans and test animals show that nickel localizes in the lungs, with much lower levels in liver and kidneys (USPHS 1993). About half the inhaled nickel is deposited on bronchial mucosa and swept upward in mucous to be swallowed about 25% of the inhaled nickel is deposited in the pulmonary parenchyma (NAS 1975). The relative amount of inhaled nickel absorbed from the pulmonary tract is dependent on the chemical and physical properties of the nickel compound (USEPA 1986). Pulmonary absorption into the blood is greatest for nickel carbonyl vapor about half the inhaled amount is absorbed (USEPA 1980). Nickel in particulate matter is absorbed from the pulmonary tract to a lesser degree than nickel carbonyl however, smaller particles are absorbed more readily than larger ones (USEPA 1980). Large nickel particles (>2 pm in diameter) are deposited in the upper respiratory tract smaller particles tend to enter the lower respiratory tract. In humans, 35% of the inhaled nickel is absorbed into the blood from the respiratory tract the remainder is either swallowed or expectorated. Soluble nickel compounds... 

U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS). 1977. Criteria for a recommended standard... occupational exposure to inorganic nickel. U.S. Dept. Health Educ. Welfare, PHS, Center Dis. Control, Nat. Inst. Occupat. Safety Health. DHEW (NIOSH) Publ. No. 77-164. 282 pp. 

Based on both the human and animal data, it is unlikely that exposure to nickel in the enviromnent or at hazardous waste sites will result in respiratory effects. Occupational exposure to high levels of nickel, however, may result in serious respiratory effects. 

Thus, animal data indicate that nickel can damage glomerular function and cause renal tubular damage, while data in humans indicate that occupational exposure to nickel can result in tubular damage without affecting glomerular function. It is unlikely that environmental exposure or exposure at hazardous waste sites will result in renal effects. 

Existing data indicate that nickel is a reproductive toxicant in animals, although a clear dose-response relationship has not been identified. Occupational exposure to high concentrations of nickel may result in reproductive effects in humans, but it is unlikely that exposure to nickel at low levels expected at hazardous waste sites would result in reproductive effects. 

Occupational exposure to nickel may occur by dermal contact or by inhalation of aerosols, dusts, fumes, or mists containing nickel. Dermal contact may also occur with nickel solutions, such as those used in electroplating, nickel salts, and nickel metal or alloys. Nickel-containing dust may be ingested where poor work practices exist or poor personal hygiene is practiced. A National Occupational Exposure Survey (NOES) conducted by NIOSH from 1981 to 1983 estimates that 727,240 workers are potentially exposed to some form of nickel metal, alloys, salts, or inorganic nickel compounds in the United States (NIOSH 1990). The form of nickel these workers were probably exposed to and the level of exposure for different industries and operations were reviewed by Warner (1984) and lARC (1990). 

Occupational exposure to nickel will be highest for those involved in production, processing, and use of nickel. The numbers of people in the United States employed in nickel mines, smelters, and refineries... 

Ghezzi 1, Baldasseroni A, Sesana G, et al. 1989. Behaviour of urinary nickel in low-level occupational exposure. Med Lav 80 244-250. 

Wamer JS. 1984. Occupation exposure to airborne nickel in producing and using primary nickel products. In Sunderman FW Jr, Aitio A, Berlin A, eds. Nickel in the human environment. lARC scientific publication no. 53. Lyon, France International Agency for Research on Cancer 419-437. 

Wong JL, Wu T-G. 1991. Speciation of airborne nickel in occupational exposure. Environmental Science and Technology, 25(2) 306-309. 

KiilunenM. 1997. Occupational exposure to chromium and nickel in the 1980s in Finland. Sci Total Environ 199 91-101. 

Criteria for a Recommended Standard,.Occupational Exposure to Inorganic Nickel," DHEW Publication No (NIOSH) 77-164, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45226, 1977 ... 

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