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Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
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General Description

Synonyms: Nickel metal: Elemental nickel, Nickel catalyst; Nickel subsulfide; Other synonyms vary depending upon the specific nickel compound

OSHA IMIS Code Number: 1840

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 7440-02-0; 12035-72-2 (Nickel subsulfide)

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: QR5950000

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Nickel metal and other compounds (as Ni): chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more
Exposure Limits

OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):
General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1 Table -- 1 mg/m3 TWA (Does not apply to Nickel Carbonyl)

Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 1 mg/m3 TWA (Does not apply to Nickel Carbonyl)

Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 1 mg/m3 TWA (Does not apply to Nickel Carbonyl)
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): Elemental - 1.5 mg/m3 TWA, Inhalable fraction*, Appendix A5 - Not Suspected as a Human Carcinogen; insoluble inorganic compounds (NOS) - 0.2 mg/m3 TWA, Inhalable fraction*, Appendix A1 - Confirmed Human Carcinogen; Nickel subsulfide - 0.1 mg/m3 TWA, Inhalable fraction*, Appendix A1 - Confirmed Human Carcinogen* - see Appendix C, paragraph A [TLVs listed under Nickel, as Ni]

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 0.015 mg/m3 TWA; Appendix A - NIOSH Potential Occupational Carcinogens; (Does not apply to Nickel Carbonyl)

Health Factors

Carcinogenic Classification:
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Group 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans (Metallic Nickel); Group 1, carcinogenic to humans (Nickel Compounds) [13 MB PDF, 189 pages]
NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 10 mg/m3 (as Ni)

Potential Symptoms: Sensitization dermatitis, allergic asthma, cough, shortness of breath, pneumonitis; decreased sense of smell [potential occupational carcinogen]

Health Effects: Respiratory sensitization (asthma) (HE9); Cumulative lung damage (HE10); Dermatitis (HE3)

Affected Organs: Nasal cavities, lungs, skin

Notes:
  1. OSHA Select Carcinogen.
  2. Most cases of sinonasal cancer associated with nickel exposure have occurred in nickel refinery workers, although a few have been reported in alkaline battery and cutlery workers.
  3. Nickel exposure has been associated with work-related respiratory symptoms in welders.
Date Last Revised: 06/24/2004

Literature Basis:
  • NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Nickel metal and other compounds (as Ni).
  • International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Nickel.
  • EPA Air Toxics Website: Nickel Compounds. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technology Transfer Network.
  • Fishwick, D., Bradshaw, L., Slater, T., Curran, A. and Pearce, N.: Respiratory symptoms and lung function change in welders: are they associated with workplace exposures? N. Z. Med. J. 117(1193): U872, 2004.
  • Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Nickel and Soluble Compounds. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 1666-1669.
  • Sunderman, F.W., Jr.: Nasal toxicity, carcinogenicity, and olfactory uptake of metals. Ann. Clin. Lab. Sci. 31(1): 3-24, 2001.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:
  • sampling media: Mixed Cellulose Ester Filter (MCEF) 0.8 microns
    maximum volume: 960 Liters
    minimum volume: 480 Liters
    maximum flow rate: 2.0 L/min
    current analytical method: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy; AAS
    method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA ID-121)
    method classification: Fully Validated
    alternate analytical method: Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma; ICP-AES/MS
    method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA ID-125G, OSHA 1006)
    method classification: Fully Validated
    note: If the filter is not overloaded, samples may be collected up to an 8-hour period.
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Page last updated: 7/28/2009

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