Smokers nickel

Cadmium is a widely distributed metal used in manufacturing and is present in a number of consumer products. Dietary exposure to cadmium is possible from shellfish and plants grown on cadmium-contaminated soils. Absorption is increased when associated with low levels of iron or calcium in the diet. Some plants, such as tobacco, can concentrate cadmium from even low levels in the soil. The lung readily absorbs cadmium, thus cigarette smokers have elevated cadmium exposure. Cadmium is also used as a metal alloy, in paint, and in batteries (Ni-Cad, nickel-cadmium). Workplace exposure can occur in welding and battery manufacture. 

Hydroxypyrene was measured in the urine, and PAH-DNA adducts were measured in white blood cells to demonstrate their relationship to the exposure. Results from these workers were compared to two reference control groups research and development (R D) workers and nickel refinery workers. Mean values of PAH-DNA adducts in the white blood cells from randomly selected participants in the three groups were only marginally different, with the exception of two smokers in the electrode plant, who had the highest levels. Mean PAH-DNA adduct levels were 10.9 adducts per 108 nucleotides for the electrode workers, 10.8 adducts per 10 nucleotides for the R D personnel, and 10.0 adducts per 10 nucleotides for nickel plant workers not occupationally exposed to PAHs. No correlation was found between PAH-DNA adducts and 1-hydroxypyrene in the urine. 

The USPHS (20A109) made the following statement on the occurrence of Ni in tobacco smoke It is not likely that nickel plays a significant role in the etiology of lung cancer in cigarette smokers. ... 

The rocks here are darker, with more transition metals such as iron and nickel, so these are called black smokers in contrast to the cooler, alkahne white smokers of Clue 3. Black smokers are more chemically intense than white, in both good and bad ways. Rich lodes of copper, zinc, gold, and iron are deposited here, mostly paired with sulfur atoms as sulfides (and companies are looking to mine the results). Nanoparticles of pyrite, the same arrangement of iron sulfide found in protein electron wires, float around in abundance. 

The chemistry of the black smoker answers that question with a coy maybe. Every element needed for proteins is here CHON elements and dissolved iron sulfur chunks hke those found in old, important proteins. The vent provides energy and flow as the rocks provide iron and nickel. 

Among heavy smokers in certain industries involving asbestos, chromate, nickel compoimds, coke ovens, chloromethyl ether, uranium, arsenic trioxide etc. 

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