Nickel is a metal that is most commonly used in the manufacture of stainless steel and other alloys. It is a naturally occurring element that also happens to be one of the more abundant metals found on the planet. While minimal exposure to nickel is usually quite harmless, higher exposures can lead to some health risks, most prominent in those who are already sensitive to the metal.

What is Nickel?

Nickel (atomic number: 28, element symbol: Ni) is a hard, ductile metal found in nature that features a shiny, silvery-white exterior when polished. While the metal is routinely found in the soil, it is most prevalent on the ocean floor or emitted by volcanoes. It is also found in meteorites. Nickel is mined so it can be used in the manufacture of other alloys which are then used for coins, magnets, jewelry, stainless steel items and in the fabrication of certain valves and heat exchangers.

Nickel compounds can also be found in certain types of batteries, in ceramic colorings and they are used to lend a green tint to glass.

How am I Exposed to Nickel?

The general population can come into contact with trace amounts of nickel on a daily basis through their diet and through the necessary act of breathing. It is not uncommon for the majority of nickel exposures to come through the food we eat and the water we drink. It can also get into the body from showering with water high in nickel.

People who are more sensitive to nickel are unable to wear jewelry containing the metal. Wearing it results in a skin rash at the site of the exposure. Sometimes, tobacco may include trace amounts of nickel, so smokers may experience nickel exposure more often than non-smokers.

Individuals who work in the nickel processing industry are perhaps the most at risk for nickel exposure. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a limit for nickel exposure in the workplace. It states that no more than 1 mg of nickel per cubic meter of air (1 mg/m³) can be present in the air of a workplace during an eight-hour workday, over a 40-hour week.

What are the Symptoms of Nickel Exposure?

The majority of nickel-related health concerns involve people who have a high sensiticity to it. Approximately 10-20% of the population has some type of sensitivity to nickel, hence the "nickel-free" indication listed on most jewelry. When an individual who has a sensitivity to nickel wears a piece of jewelry for an extended period, a skin rash will normally break out at the site.

Some people may experience an asthma-like reaction when they come in contact with nickel. Those individuals who work in nickel processing plants or refineries have shown signs of bronchitis on a chronic level as well as poor lung function. Breathing large amounts of dust containing nickel compounds, like that found in these refineries, has been shown to cause cancers of the nasal sinus and the lungs. Of course, these individuals inhale a significantly larger amount of nickel than the common man.

If large amounts of nickel are found in your drinking water supply, it could result in organ problems. It has been discovered that rats and dogs exhibit problems with their blood, liver, stomach, kidneys, even the immune system after drinking or eating large quantities of nickel. It has also proved to cause lung disease and casued issues with their development and reproduction.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have issued that nickel compounds are known carcinogens to humans and nickel itself is reasonably anticipated to be one as well.

How Do I Test Myself for Nickel?

Doctors can issue tests for determining the levels of nickel in the body. The test analyzes the patient's blood, urine and feces. While the tests can determine the amount of soluble nickel compounds you have been exposed to, it can not indicate what health effects the patient can expect.

How to Reduce Exposure to Nickel

The best way for the general population to reduce their exposure to nickel is to avoid purchasing or wearing jewelry that is made of the metal. The amount of nickel exposure to those who do not work in a refinery or nickel processing plant is minimal.