A review of the metabolism and toxicology of nickel.

Although nickel is an essential element for animal nutrition, the physiological role of nickel is not yet established. Pathological alterations of nickel metabolism are recognized in several human diseases. The diverse clinical manifestations of nickel toxicology include: (1) acute pneumonitis from inhalation of nickel carbonyl, (2) chronic rhinitis and sinusitis from inhalation of nickel aerosols, (3) cancers of nasal cavities and lungs in nickel workers, and (4) dermatitis and other hypersensitive reactions from cutaneous and parenteral exposures to nickel alloys. The toxicity, carcinogenicity and embryotoxicity of nickel compounds in experimental animals are reviewed in this article, and consideration is given to the therapeutic use of chelating drugs in nickel poisoning.