The role of biological monitoring in assessing

exposure to nickel

Dr John Cocker
john.cocker@hsl.gov.uk

www.hsl.gov.uk
www.hsl.gov.uk
AnAn Agency
Agency of theof the Health
Health and
and Safety Safety
Executive Executive
 Biological Monitoring

Assessment of overall exposure to chemicals by

measurement of the chemicals or their
breakdown products in

blood urine and breath

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 Biological and Biological Effect Monitoring
(BM & BEM)
Dermal
Inhalation
Ingestion
Occupational

EXPOSURE UPTAKE EFFECT DISEASE

BEM BEM
T-cell activation Dermatitis
assays Cancer
Environmental BM Measurement
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 Exposure to Nickel Compounds

Nickel exposure can occur by inhalation, ingestion and dermal contact.

The main health effects of nickel are asthma, dermatitis and cancer.

Industries where nickel exposure can occur are:

Welding
Battery manufacture
Hard metal treatment
Metal reclamation
Electroplating
Plasma sprayers
Waste incineration
Jewellers
Coin manufacturers

A number of nickel salts used in the plating industry will be reclassified

to R49 (may cause cancer) by inhalation) in 2008.
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 The role for biological monitoring

BM can assess exposure by all routes

Inhalation
Ingestion
Skin Absorption

BM can assess efficacy of

PPE
Engineering controls
Human factors
Regulations / approvals

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 BM to check the controls work

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BM for Nickel is not compulsory but
COSHH
Risk assessment (regulation 6)
Controlling risk (regulation 7)
Use & maintenance of controls (regulations 8 & 9)
Monitoring exposure (regulation 10)
Health surveillance (regulation 11)
Training employees about risk (regulation 12)
COSHH Essentials
Hazard Group S (skin)
Hazard Group E (carcinogens and mutagens some)
Maintenance of control feedback loop
Good Occupational Hygiene Practice
Guidance values
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 BM is a tool for OH Professionals

BM is a tool for exposure assessment

BM for nickel is based on non-invasive urine
sampling
Sampling at the end of shift towards the end of
week
Analysis is inexpensive
Guidance value available (DFG)
Provides quantitative data to show progress in
reducing exposure and risk
Provides quantitative data on efficacy of controls
Suitable for regular monitoring and identifying
lapses/loss of control

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 Why take the P ?

A simple urine
sample can help
assess exposure
and controls

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 Obtaining Consent

Use your Occupational Health Provider

Workers must give informed consent to providing a

sample Biological Monitoring is voluntary

Explain what will be measured and why

Ask permission for the results to be seen by

management

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 Taking a sample

Collect samples at the

end of shift.

Avoid contaminating the

sample

Screw the cap on well !

Write name and date on

the label

Fill in the form & sign

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 Send the sample to the Lab

Pack the sample in the

packaging provided
and post.

Freepost label
included.

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 Analytical Methodology
Using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry

Urine samples diluted 1 in 5 with 1% nitric acid and yttrium

is used the internal standard, and analysed using
ICP-MS in normal mode
Inductively Coupled Plasma

LOD is 0.3 g/L (5nmol/L)

CV at 20 g/L is 6%

TEQAS and G-EQAS

Quality Assurance
Certification

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 Biological Monitoring at HSL

Number of Urinary Nickel Analysis at HSL 2000-2007

450

400 Ni Ni+Cr
350

300

250

200
150

100

50

0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 jan-jul2007

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 Results

Urinary Nickel levels are usually adjusted for dilution

using creatinine

Units are mol Nickel / mol creatinine or g/g

(1 mol/mol is approx. 0.5 g/g or 0.5 g/l)

Results are related to exposure not (directly) health

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 BM: Nickel results 2000-2007

All Welders Platers & Chemicals Waste Foundry Unknown

Nickel Finishers Management Workers
workers

Number of 1952 160 234 454 374 39 690

samples
Average &
range 18.9 58.6 21.6 12.8 8.4 10.5 9.8
concentration [0-1286] [0-1286] [1.7-698] [0-317] [0-143] [2-38] [0-575]
umol/mol
90th
percentile 24.1 97.3 36.4 22.3 15.5 18.8 16.5
concentration
umol/mol

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 What do the results mean?

> 90 mol/mol equivalent to the WEL insoluble Ni

> 140 mol/mol equivalent to the WEL soluble Ni
Collect another sample, Check controls urgently

> 24 mol/mol (HSL 90% value)

Look for a reason Check controls

< 24 mol/mol (90% value for HSL data

Background levels (95%) < 6 mol/mol

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 Conclusions

Urinary nickel measurement is a good indicator of exposure

The 90th percentile of Ni (U) in workers sending samples to
HSL is 24 mol/mol creatinine
Welders show the highest exposure to nickel - 36% welders
have Ni (U) over 24 mol/mol creatinine
Nickel platers and finishers have a 90th percentile of 36.4
mol/mol creatinine -18% nickel platers have Ni (U) over 24
mol/mol creatinine

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 Conclusions

Biological Monitoring is easy

Biological Monitoring can help assess exposure to nickel

Biological Monitoring is not expensive

Try it !
If you need help, phone me on 01298 21 84 29
or email: john.cocker@hsl.gov.uk
or Jackie Morton jackie.morton@hsl.gov.uk
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