National Pollutant Inventory

Substances

Nickel subsulfide: Health effects

Description

Symptoms of exposure to this type of compound may include skin sensitisation, and skin rashes. Inhalation may lead to asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and pulmonary oedema. According to both the International Agency for Research on Cancer and Worksafe Australia, this product is a known carcinogen.

Entering the body

Nickel subsulfide will enter the body if we breathe in contaminated air.

Exposure

Workers in the industries that use or produce nickel subsulfide are at risk of exposure. Consumers can be exposed to nickel subsulfide by exposure to air from production facilities, processing facilities, and disposal sites using or receiving nickel subsulfide, or from the misuse of lithium batteries.

Health guidelines

Worksafe Australia:
The eight hour time weighted average (TWA) exposure limit is 1mg/m3.

Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (NHMRC and ARMCANZ, 1996):
For nickel: Maximum of 0.02 mg/L (i.e. 0.00002 g/L).

Key

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Factory. Credit: Michael Lindquist