NICKEL, METAL & INSOLUBLE COMPOUNDS (as Ni) | OSHA.gov | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

NICKEL, METAL & INSOLUBLE COMPOUNDS (as Ni)†

Chemical Identification
CAS #	7440-02-0
Formula	Ni
Synonyms	nickel metal; elemental nickel; nickel catalyst; nickel subsulfide; raney nickel; Other synonyms vary depending upon the specific nickel compound.

Physical Properties
Physical description	Lustrous, silvery odorless metal
Boiling point	5139°F	Molecular weight	58.7
Freezing point/melting point	2831°F	Vapor pressure	0 mmHg (approx)
Flash point		Vapor density
Specific gravity	8.90 (metal)	Ionization potential
Lower explosive limit (LEL)		Upper explosive limit (UEL)	2831°F
NFPA health rating	2	NFPA fire rating	4
NFPA reactivity rating	1	NFPA special instruction
Vapor hazard ratio (VHR)
Historical exceedance percentage
Target organs

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Analyte code (IMIS no.)	1840
Sampling group	METALSSG-2
Sampler/Sampling media	Pre-assembled cassette with mixed cellulose ester filter (MCEF) 0.8 micron (25 or 37 mm) [MAWP025A0 or MAWP037A0]
Sampling time^*	240-480 min
Sampling volume (TWA)^*	480-960 L
Sampling flow rate (TWA)^*	2 L/min
Sampling volume (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Sampling flow rate (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Analytical method instruments	ICP
Method reference	OSHA ID-125G (fully validated)
Notes	Results are provided for the presence and amount or concentration of a specific element or elements. The stated identity of the actual sample contents (such as specific form, valence state, or compound) is based on the assumption that the material sampled is as identified by the compliance officer using available documentation of materials and processes. Smaller filters recommended for sampling inside welding hoods.
Special requirements	For the entire suite of analytes listed in METALSSG-2, request analyte code 2587.

^* All sampling instructions above are recommended guidelines for OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs), please see the corresponding OSHA method reference for complete details.

Bulk/Wipe Method
Wipe Sampler/Sampling media	Ghost Wipe [SKC 225-2414]
Bulk Method	Available

On-Site Screening Techniques
Device
Model/Type
Sampling information (see manufacturer instructions)

**Exposure Limits**
OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak		NIOSH REL Up to 10-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		ACGIH TLV© 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		CAL/OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak
PEL-TWA	1 mg/m³	REL-TWA	0.015 mg/m³	TLV-TWA	elemental: 1.5 mg/m³ (inhalable particluate matter), insoluble inorganic compounds (NOS): 0.2 mg/m³ (inhalable particulate matter) [1996]	PEL-TWA	0.5 mg/m³ (metal), 0.1 mg/m³ (insoluble compounds)
PEL-STEL		REL-STEL		TLV-STEL		PEL-STEL
PEL-C		REL-C		TLV-C		PEL-C
Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N
Notes: See 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1.		Notes: CARCINOGEN (Ca): REDUCE EXPOSURE TO LOWEST FEASIBLE CONCENTRATION. See Appendix A, NIOSH Potential Occupational Carcinogens.		Notes:		Notes:
Health factors: See NIH-NLM PubChem.		IDLH	10 mg/m³
Carcinogenic classifications: IARC-2B, NIOSH-Ca, NTP-R, TLV-A5		Notes: Ca
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3:

Additional Resources and Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Nickel

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Nickel metal and other compounds (as Ni)

Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Nickel compounds.
EPA: Hazard Summary - Nickel Compounds
ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Nickel [7440-02-0] and inorganic compounds, including Nickel subsulfide, as Ni. See annual publication for most recent information.
ATSDR: Toxicological Profile for Nickel. August 2005.
California Occupational Safety & Health Standards Board: Initial and Final Statement of Reasons. August 3, 2010.
Fishwick, D., Bradshaw, L., Slater, T., Curran, A. and Pearce, N.: Respiratory symptoms and lung function change in welders: are they associated with workplace exposures? N. Z. Med. J. 117(1193): U872, 2004.
NIOSH: Occupational Health Guideline for Nickel Metal and Soluble Nickel Compounds. September 1978.
NIOSH: Criteria for a Recommended Standard - Occupational Exposure to Inorganic Nickel. May 1977.
Rom, W.N. (ed.): Environmental and Occupational Medicine. 2nd ed. Boston, MA, Little, Brown and Company, p. 809. 1992.
Sunderman, F.W., Jr.: Nasal toxicity, carcinogenicity, and olfactory uptake of metals. Ann. Clin. Lab. Sci. 31(1): 3-24, 2001.
Zenz, C., O.B. Dickerson, E.P. Horvath. Occupational Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO., p. 106, 1994.

Last Updated Date : 06/14/2023

Group Sampling Information
Sampling Media	Sampling Time (If there are exceptions they will be in Notes)	TWA Sampling Volume (If there are exceptions they will be in Notes)	TWA Flow Rate (If there are exceptions they will be in Notes)
mixed cellulose ester filter (MCEF)	240-480 min	480-960 L	2 L/min

Analytes Sampling Information
Analytes	IMIS Code	Wipe Sampling	Incompatibilities
Iron*	I200	Yes, with a Ghost Wipe
Vanadium*	V125	Yes, with a Ghost Wipe
Zinc*	Z100	Yes, with a Ghost Wipe
Chromium, Metal & Insoluble salts (as Cr)**	0685	Yes, with a Ghost Wipe	Hexavalent Chromium
Cobalt, Metal, Dust & Fume (as Co)	0720	Yes, with a Ghost Wipe	Tungsten
Copper Dust & Mists (as Cu)	0730	Yes, with a Ghost Wipe
Copper Fume (as Cu)	0731	Yes, with a Ghost Wipe
Iron Oxide Fume	1520	Yes, with a Ghost Wipe
Manganese, Compounds & Fume (as Mn)***	1620	Yes, with a Ghost Wipe
Molybdenum, Dust & Insoluble compounds, (as Mo)	1790	Yes, with a Ghost Wipe
Nickel, Metal, & Insoluble compounds (as Ni)	1840	Yes, with a Ghost Wipe
Vanadium, Respirable Dust & Fume	2571	Yes, with a Ghost Wipe
Zinc Oxide Fume	2610	Contact SLTC for information

Notes

Request any or all of these analytes together. Entire group can be requested with analyte code 2587.

Results for unrequested analytes in this group will be reported if significant amount are found.

There is no need to contact SLTC before sampling.

This analysis can be pre-analyzed gravimetrically if collected on a pre-weighted PVC filter obtained from SLTC.

*These 3 codes are used for bulk sample results in place of their metal oxides.

**Please note that this is NOT hexavalent chromium.

***For Manganese STEL take only a 10-30 L sample.

NICKEL, METAL & INSOLUBLE COMPOUNDS (as Ni)†

Chemical Identification

Physical Properties

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA

Bulk/Wipe Method

On-Site Screening Techniques

Exposure Limits

Additional Resources and Literature References