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Occupational exposure to nickel salts in electrolytic plating
M Kiilunen1, A Aitio, A Tossavainen
1Biomonitoring Laboratory, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
The Annals of Occupational Hygiene
|April 1, 1997
Summary
Nickel exposure in plating shops is significant, with urinary nickel levels exceeding safe limits even after vacations. This suggests accumulation and exposure through ingestion, not just inhalation.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Hygiene
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
Background:
- Nickel plating shops pose potential occupational health risks.
- Assessing nickel exposure is crucial for worker safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate nickel exposure levels in Finnish nickel plating workers.
- To investigate the relationship between air nickel concentrations and biological monitoring.
- To identify potential routes of nickel absorption.
Main Methods:
- Occupational hygiene survey conducted in 38 nickel plating facilities.
- Biological monitoring of urinary nickel concentrations in 163 workers.
- Air measurements of nickel concentrations in three selected shops.
Main Results:
- Average after-shift urinary nickel concentration was 0.16 µmol/L.
- Urinary nickel levels remained elevated post-vacation, indicating bioaccumulation.
- No significant difference in urinary nickel between 'clean' and 'dirty' shops.
- Low correlation between air and urinary nickel; urinary excretion exceeded inhalation estimates.
Conclusions:
- Nickel plating workers experience significant nickel exposure.
- Water-soluble nickel salts accumulate in the body.
- Exposure occurs through routes beyond inhalation, likely including ingestion.