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1874385 
Technical Report 
Hazards from Exposure to Nickel: A Historical Account 
Sunderman, FW 
1992 
NIOSH/00215858 
25 
Current Perspectives 
The toxicity of nickel (7440020) and its compounds was discussed. The natural occurrence and distribution of nickel were summarized and an historical perspective on nickel toxicity was presented. Toxicity data obtained in experimental animal studies were reviewed. Colloidal nickel or nickel salts, when administered intravenously or subcutaneously, have demonstrated high acute toxicity in a variety of species. Ingestion of nickel or nickel salts has been associated with relatively low acute toxicity. Nickel-carbonyl (13463393) is the most toxic nickel compound known. The median lethal doses for 30 minutes exposure have been determined to be 0.07 and 0.23 milligram per liter in mice and rats, respectively. Common routes of exposure to nickel compounds and the consequences of these exposures were summarized. Acute inhalation exposure has been associated with cortical insufficiency, hyaline membrane formation, pulmonary edema and hemorrhage, hepatic degeneration, and brain and renal congestion. Chronic inhalation exposure can cause respiratory tract cancer, pulmonary eosinophilia, and asthma. Percutaneous exposure can cause primary irritant and allergic dermatitis and eczema. Parenteral exposure, which in humans results from prosthetic implantations, can cause allergic reactions, osteomyelitis, and osteonecrosis. The toxicity of nickel-carbonyl was discussed including a description of two industrial accidents in which more than 250 workers were exposed to nickel-carbonyl. A total of 157 required hospitalization and two died. Most critically ill workers were treated with 2,3-dimercaptopropanol (BAL) or Dithiocarb. The toxicity of nickel-carbonyl is due to the nickel and not the carbon-monoxide. Nickel carcinogenicity was discussed. Inhalation of nickel and nickel compounds has been shown to induce lung and nasal cancers in occupationally exposed workers and experimental animals. The carcinogenic potency of the compounds appears to be related to their solubility in water at 37 degrees-C, the insoluble compounds being carcinogenic and the soluble salts being noncarcinogenic.