skip navigational links Occupational Safety & Health Administration DOL.gov OSHA.gov DOL.gov
www.OSHA.gov
<< Chemical Sampling Information (CSI) Link to Printing InstructionsPrinting Instructions
Chemical Sampling Information (CSI) Chemical Sampling Information
Nickel, Metal and Insoluble compounds (as Ni)

Quick Links
Search
  
[use word(s)/phrase]
Table of Contents
By Name
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N
O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


By CAS Number
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

    Other Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 12035-72-2 (Nickel subsulfide)

    NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (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) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1 Table -- 1 mg/m3 TWA (Does not apply to Nickel Carbonyl)

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 1 mg/m3 TWA (Does not apply to Nickel Carbonyl)

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for 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; (This REL does not apply to Nickel carbonyl)
Health Factors
    International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Metallic Nickel - Group 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans; Nickel Compounds - Group 1, carcinogenic to humans. [82 KB, PDF]

    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.

All Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management at 202-693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF materials.

Back to TopBack to Top www.osha.gov www.dol.gov

Contact Us | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey
Privacy and Security Statement | Disclaimers
Occupational Safety & Health Administration
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20210
Page last updated: 07/28/2009