Status Report
NiDI publishes occasional "Status Reports" on scientific developments in areas of particular interest to
health and safety. Typically, these reports are eight pages in length and are written for a general audience.
Status Reports are distributed free of charge to interested readers. To read a Status Report on screen, click
on any of the issues below.
| #9 -- 2003 | #8 -- 2001 | #7 -- 2000 | #6 -- 1998 |
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| #5 -- 1998 | #4 -- 1997 | #3 -- 1994 | |
#9: 2003 -- Nickel Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Sensitisation to nickel opens the door to the possibility of nickel allergic contact dermatitis
(NACD). Sensitisation is most commonly caused by the use of inappropriate 'post' materials after
body piercing. Advice on appropriate and inappropriate materials for use in piercing and
objects (e.g., jewellery) is given and legislation in place to protect consumers is described. Not
available in hard copy. [ Full text ]
#8: 2001 -- Stainless Steel and Welding Fume
Information on the characteristics and chemical composition of fume generated during arc welding of
stainless steels is provided. Hazards that this may present are reviewed and regulatory requirements and
appropriate work practices are outlined. [ Full Text ]
#7: 2000 -- Nickel in Society: A report on sustainable development
The three elements commonly used to define sustainable development -- social, economic and environmental
elements -- are applied here to the seven benefits to society of nickel-containing materials, namely:
corrosion protection, high temperature strength, durability, cleanability, power generation and
recyclability. [ Full Text ]
#6: 1998 -- Coinage and nickel
The long history of nickel in coinage is noted as are the qualities that nickel and nickel-containing
materials bring to coinage. Nickel contact dermatitis is discussed in the context of coinage, as is the new
Euro coinage, including the role of nickel in the 1 and 2 Euro coins. The consensus views of an eminent group
of dermatologists -- "Transient, short term contact with nickel containing articles such as coinage...does
not appear to be a factor in the induction of an allergic contact dermatitis within the general population."
-- is presented. [ Full text ]
#5: 1998 -- Occupational exposure limits for nickel and nickel compounds
This Status Report identifies regulatory, legislative and other developments relating to OELs for nickel. To
the extent they are known, pending and anticipated regulatory or guideline changes are noted. Typical
exposure levels current in various industry sectors are briefly described, as are the sampling criteria
proposed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, ACGIH. [ Full text ]
#4: 1997 -- Health studies of high nickel alloys workers in the U.S.
The mortality experience of some 31,000 workers in the high nickel alloys industry in 13 different plants
located throughout the United States was analyzed and reported to the sponsors of the study. These include
the High Nickel Alloy Health and Safety Group, HNAHSG, and other organizations and companies representing
North American producers of nickel and high nickel alloys. The study was contracted to the University of
Pittsburgh and conducted by the Department of Biostatistics under the leadership of Carol K. Redmond, ScD. [
Full text ]
#3: 1994 -- Nickel pickup by food cooked in stainless steel utensils
Results of a recent study by the laboratory of the Government Chemist, LGC, in the U.K. indicate that nickel
pickup by meal-sized portions of real foods cooked in stainless steel utensils at normal domestic cooking
temperatures and times was generally below the analytical detectable limits for nickel of 0.01 mg/kg, or lµg
in a 100 g serving of food. Undetectable nickel pickup is considered insignificant with respect to human
health effects and reinforces the ongoing use of stainless steel by consumers as the material of choice for
cookware. [ Full text ]
