Urinary and fecal elimination of nickel in relation to air-borne nickel in a battery factory
Hassler, E.; Lind, B.; Nilsson, B.; Piscator, M.
Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science 13(3): 217-224
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0091-7370 PMID: 6870185 Document Number: 197271
Ni in urine and in air from the breathing zone of 18 male workers in a battery factory [in Sweden] was determined weekly during 11 consecutive wk. The study started immediately after 3 wk of Christmas vacation. The Ni levels in air varied but did not increase with time. The average urinary excretion of Ni showed an increase during the first weeks, after which a steady state seemed to have been reached. There was a considerable individual variation in both exposure levels and urine Ni levels. However, a correlation between the averages of Ni in air and urine could be demonstrated on a group basis. In a 2nd study, measurements of Ni in air and feces were made on 15 workers during 1 wk. A significant correlation was found between Ni in air and fecal Ni. Smoking habits did not seem to influence either urinary or fecal Ni concentrations. [Many Ni workers from this factory suffered from respiratory and renal disease.].