NIOSH Publication No. 2005-151:

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

September 2005

Nickel metal and other compounds (as Ni)

CAS
7440-02-0 (Metal)

Ni (Metal)

RTECS
QR5950000 (Metal)
Synonyms & Trade Names

Nickel metal: Elemental nickel, Nickel catalyst
Synonyms of other nickel compounds vary depending upon the specific compound.
DOT ID & Guide

Exposure
Limits

NIOSH REL*: Ca TWA 0.015 mg/m3 See Appendix A [*Note: The REL does not apply to Nickel carbonyl.]
OSHA PEL*†: TWA 1 mg/m3 [*Note: The PEL does not apply to Nickel carbonyl.]
IDLH
Ca [10 mg/m3 (as Ni)] See: 7440020
Conversion
Physical Description
Metal: Lustrous, silvery, odorless solid.
MW: 58.7
BP: 5139°F
MLT: 2831°F
Sol: Insoluble
VP: 0 mmHg (approx)
IP: NA

Sp.Gr: 8.90 (Metal)
Fl.P: NA
UEL: NA
LEL: NA

Metal: Combustible Solid; nickel sponge catalyst may ignite SPONTANEOUSLY in air.
Incompatibilities & Reactivities

Strong acids, sulfur, selenium, wood & other combustibles, nickel nitrate
Measurement Methods
NIOSH 7300, 7301, 7303, 9102; OSHA ID121, ID125G
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Personal Protection & Sanitation
(See protection)
Skin: Prevent skin contact
Eyes: No recommendation
Wash skin: When contaminated/Daily
Remove: When wet or contaminated
Change: Daily

First Aid
(See procedures)

Skin: Water flush immediately
Breathing: Respiratory support
Swallow: Medical attention immediately
Respirator Recommendations
NIOSH
At concentrations above the NIOSH REL, or where there is no REL, at any detectable concentration:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus
Escape:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with an N100, R100, or P100 filter. Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters./Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
Important additional information about respirator selection
Exposure Routes
inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms
Sensitization dermatitis, allergic asthma, pneumonitis; [potential occupational carcinogen]
Target Organs
Nasal cavities, lungs, skin

Cancer Site
[lung and nasal cancer]
See also: INTRODUCTION   See ICSC CARD: 0062   See MEDICAL TESTS: 0156