Nickel

Overview
CAS#: 7440-02-0
Nickel (Ni) is a hard, silvery-white metal that may cause irritation to the skin. Exposure can harm the lungs, stomach, and kidneys. Exposure to nickel may lead to cancer. Workers may be harmed from exposure to nickel. The level of exposure depends upon the dose, duration, and work being done.
Nickel is used in many industries. It’s used to make stainless steel and other metal alloys. Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to nickel include the following:
- Refinery workers in nickel processing plants
- Jewelry and pawn shop workers who come in contact with nickle coins or jewelry
- Factory workers in plants where nickel alloys are used
- Workers who come in contact with tools and other nickel releasing surfaces
NIOSH recommends that employers use Hierarchy of Controls to prevent injuries. If you work in an industry that uses nickel, please read chemical labels and the accompanying Safety Data Sheets for hazard information. Visit NIOSH’s page on Managing Chemical Safety in the Workplace to learn more about controlling chemical workplace exposures.
The following resources provide information about occupational exposure to nickel. Useful search terms for nickel include “elemental nickel,” and ” nickel catalyst.”
NIOSH Chemical Resources
Related NIOSH Resources
- NIOSHTIC-2 search results for nickel—NIOSHTIC-2 is a searchable database of worker safety and health publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported in whole or in part by NIOSH.
- Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) Value Profile: Nickel—NIOSH reviews relevant scientific data and researches methods for developing IDLH values.
- Elements No. 7300pdf icon—Sampling and measurement from NMAM, 4th ed.
- Elements No. 7301pdf icon—Sampling and measurement from NMAM, 4th ed.
- Elements No. 7303pdf icon—Sampling and measurement from NMAM, 4th ed.
- Elements No. 9102pdf icon—Sampling and measurement from NMAM, 4th ed.
- Carbonyl No. 6007pdf icon—Sampling and measurement from NMAM, 4th ed.
- NIOSH Pocket Guide: Nickel Carbonyl—CAS No. 13463-39-3.
- NIOSH Worker Health Study Summaries– NIOSH conducts research to prevent illnesses and injuries in the workplace. The NIOSH Worker Notification Program notifies workers and other stakeholders about the findings of these research studies.
Selected Publications
- Specific Medical Tests or Evaluations Published in the Literature for OSHA-Regulated Substances: Nickel—Database listing the specific medical tests published in the literature for OSHA regulated substances.
- Specific Medical Tests or Evaluations Published in the Literature for OSHA-Regulated Substances: Nickel carbonyl—Database listing the specific medical tests published in the literature for OSHA regulated substances.
Related Resources
- ATSDR ToxFAQs: Nickel
- ATSDR Toxicological Profile for Nickel
- EPA Air Toxics: Nickel Compoundspdf iconexternal icon
- EPA (IRIS): Nickel Soluble Saltsexternal icon
- NLM Hazardous Substance Data Bank: Nickelexternal icon
- NLM Haz-Map: Nickelexternal icon
- NLM Household Products Database: Nickelexternal icon
- NOAA Cameo Chemicals: Raney Nickelexternal icon
- New Jersey Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet: Nickelpdf iconexternal icon
- MayoClinic: Nickel Allergyexternal icon
- EPA Chemistry Dashboardexternal icon
- OSHA Chemical Sampling Information: Nickel–Insoluble Compoundsexternal icon
- OSHA Hazard Communicationexternal icon
International Resources
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS): Search results for nickelexternal icon
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): Nickelexternal icon
- Gestis Substance Databaseexternal icon
- IARC Monographs Vol 100C: Nickel and Nickel Compoundsexternal icon
- IARC Monographs Vol. 49–Summary and Evaluation: Nickelexternal icon
- WHO Health and Safety Guide 62: Nickelexternal icon
- WHO Environmental Health Criteria 108: Nickelexternal icon
- WHO-Nickel in Drinking Waterpdf iconexternal icon
- ILO International Chemical Safety Card (ICSC): Nickelexternal icon
- ILO International Chemical Safety Card (ICSC): Nickel (II) Sulphateexternal icon
- ILO International Chemical Safety Card (ICSC): Nickel Carbonylexternal icon
- ILO International Chemical Safety Card (ICSC): Nickel (II) Oxideexternal icon
- ILO International Chemical Safety Card (ICSC): Nickel Carbonateexternal icon
- ILO International Chemical Safety Card (ICSC): Trinickel disulfideexternal icon
- IPCS INCHEM: search results for nickelexternal icon
- OECD Global Portal to Information on Chemical Substancesexternal icon