Nickel

Nickel

The most common adverse health effect of nickel in humans is an allergic reaction such as a skin rash. Some nickel-sensitive people will have asthma attacks after exposure. Workers who inhaled large amounts of nickel experienced chronic bronchitis and reduced lung function. People who have consumed water containing large amounts of nickel have had stomachaches and effects to their blood and kidneys.

Potential Sources

P2 Options

Commercial/Industrial

Metal Finishing
Hospitals
Auto Services

Residential

Plumbing
Hobbies using Ceramics

Hobbies using Ceramics

Nickel: P2 Options: Metal Finishing

Train employees in proper equipment and chemical handling and procedures.
Segregate waste streams.
Maintain equipment (pumps, seals, etc.) to prevent leaks.
Sweep working area instead of hosing down.
Find ways to reuse water in the process.
Properly train employees in handling and mixing materials.
Recover metals from plating baths and rinses.

[Related links][References]

Nickel: P2 Options: Hospitals

Use reusable alkaline batteries - even over rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries.
Recycle spent batteries.

[Related links][References]

Nickel: P2 Options: Auto Services

Train employees in proper equipment and chemical handling and procedures.
Keep an emergency spill kit available at all times.
Recycle vehicle batteries
Keep fluid wastes in well marked containers.
Regularly inspect solvent tanks and separators.
Use drip pans whenever changing fluids.
Consider plugging up shop sewer drains.
Sweep work area instead of hosing down.
Consider installing a wastewater recycling system.
Keep waste towels in a closed, well-marked container. Consider using laundry service able to treat wastewater generated from cleaning the towels.

[Related links][References]

Nickel: P2 Options: Plumbing

Replace corroding nickel-containing pipes.

[References]

Nickel: P2 Options: Hobbies using Ceramics

Choose nickel-free glazes.
Do not send excess ceramic glazes down the drain.
Dust off clothing worn while hobbying before washing.

[Related links][References]

Nickel: References

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ToxFAQs
http://atsdr1.atsdr.cdc.gov:8080/toxfaq.html

Tennessee Valley Authority, Waste Reduction: Metal Fabrication Fluids and Wastewaters, February 1997
http://www.tva.gov/orgs/iwr/pdfs/metalfabpaper.pdf

Environmental Protection Agency, Profile of the Metal Fabrication Industry,
http://es.epa.gov/oeca/sector/sectornote/pdf/fabmetsnpt2.pdf

The North Carolina Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance, Waste Reduction and Disposal Options for Specific Hospital Wastes,
http://www.p2pays.org/ref/01/00239.pdf

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission Small Business Assistance Program, The Autobody Industry,
http://www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/exec/small_business/
txmentor/autobd02.html#other.html

Envirosense, Fact Sheet:Autobody Shops, November 1998.
http://es.epa.gov/techinfo/facts/autobody.html

Envirosense, Fact Sheet:Automotive Repair Shops, November 1998.
http://es.epa.gov/techinfo/facts/automotv.html

Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair, Fuel for Thought: How to Reduce Wastes at Your Shop,
http://www.ccar-greenlink.org/documents/cat1100/doc1150.html

Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair, Guides to Pollution Prevention, The Automotive Repair Industry (Sections 3 & 4),
http://www.ccar-greenlink.org/documents/cat1100/doc1151.html

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, YardWise: A Green Guide to Yard Care,
ftp://ftp.tnrcc.state.tx.us/pub/ExecutiveDirector/
AgencyCommunications/topdoc/gi/028.pdf

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