Nickel carbonyl (as Ni)

CAS number: 13463–39–3

NIOSH REL: 0.001 ppm (0.007 mg/m³) TWA; NIOSH considers nickel carbonyl to be a potential occupational carcinogen as defined by the OSHA carcinogen policy [29 CFR 1990].

Current OSHA PEL: 0.001 ppm (0.007 mg/m³) TWA

1989 OSHA PEL: Same as current PEL

1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 0.05 ppm (0.12 mg/m³) TWA

Description of substance: Colorless to yellow liquid with a musty odor.

LEL: . . . 2% (10% LEL, 2,000 ppm)

Original (SCP) IDLH*: 7 ppm [*Note: "Effective" IDLH = 2 ppm -- see discussion below.]

Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH could be based on the statement by ACGIH [1971] that a 30-minute exposure to 7 ppm is lethal for mice [Kincaid et al. 1953]. According to AIHA [1968], the mouse 30-minute LC₅₀ is 10 ppm [Kincaid et al. 1953]. Because of the assigned protection factor afforded by each device, however, 2,000 ´ the OSHA PEL of 0.001 ppm (i.e., 2 ppm) is the concentration above which only the "most protective" respirators are permitted. With regard to the short exposure tolerance for humans, AIHA [1968] reported that a concentration of 3 ppm for 30 minutes has been suggested [Kincaid et al. 1953].

Short-term exposure guidelines: None developed

ACUTE TOXICITY DATA:

Lethal concentration data:

Species	Reference	LC50 (ppm)	LCLo (ppm)	Time	Adjusted 0.5-hr LC (CF)	Derived value
Dog Human Cat Rabbit Rat Mouse Mouse Mouse	Armit 1909 Brief et al. 1971 Coulston & Korte 1975 Gekkan Yakuji 1980 Kincaid et al. 1956 Kincaid et al. 1956 Kincaid et al. 1953 Kincaid et al. 1953	----- ----- 266 ----- 35 ----- 94 10	360 30 ----- 42 ----- 7 ----- -----	90 min 30 min 30 min 30 min 30 min 30 min 30 min 30 min	519 ppm (1.44) 30 ppm (1.0) 266 ppm (1.0) 42 ppm (1.0) 35 ppm (1.0) 7 ppm (1.0) 94 ppm (1.0) 10 ppm (1.0)	52 ppm 3.0 ppm 27 ppm 4.2 ppm 3.5 ppm 0.7 ppm 9.4 ppm 1.0 ppm

Other human data: It has been stated that 3 ppm for 30 minutes is the probable short-term exposure limit [Kincaid et al. 1956].

Revised IDLH: 2 ppm Basis for revised IDLH: Based on acute toxicity data in humans [Brief et al. 1971; Kinkaid et al. 1956], an IDLH of 3 ppm would have been appropriate for nickel carbonyl. However, the revised IDLH for nickel carbonyl is 2 ppm based on being 2,000 times the current OSHA PEL of 0.001 ppm (2,000 is an assigned protection factor for respirators; only the "most reliable" respirators are recommended above 2,000 times the OSHA PEL). [Note: NIOSH recommends as part of its carcinogen policy that the "most protective" respirators be worn for nickel carbonyl at concentrations above 0.001 ppm.]

REFERENCES:

1. ACGIH [1971]. Nickel carbonyl. In: Documentation of the threshold limit values for substances in workroom air. 3rd ed. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, p. 180.

2. AIHA [1968]. Nickel carbonyl. In: Hygienic guide series. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 29:304-307.

3. Armit HW [1909]. The toxicology of nickel carbonyl. J Hyg 7:525-551.

4. Brief RS, Blanchard JW, Scala RA, Blacker JH [1971]. Metal carbonyls in the petroleum industry. Arch Environ Health 23:373-384.

5. Coulston F, Korte F, eds. [1975]. Heavy metal toxicity, safety and hormology. In: Environmental Quality & Safety, Supplement 1. New York, NY: Georg Thieme Publishers, pp. 1-120.

6. Gekkan Yakuji (Pharmaceuticals Monthly) [1980]; 22(3):455-459 (in Japanese).

7. Kincaid JF, Stanley EL, Beckworth CH, Sunderman FW [1956]. Nickel poisoning. III. Procedures for detection, prevention, and treatment of nickel carbonyl exposure including a method for the determination of nickel in biologic materials. Am J Clin Pathol 26:107-119.

8. Kincaid JF, Strong JS, Sunderman FW [1953]. Nickel poisoning. I. Experimental study of the effects of acute and subacute exposure to nickel carbonyl. AMA Arch Ind Hyg Occup Med 8:48-60.