Nickel is silvery white in colour. It is hard, malleable and has magnetic and corrosion resistant properties and is a fair conductor of heat and electricity. Nickel is obtained from different minerals e.g. laterite.
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Common name: Nickel, Ni.
Use
The main uses of nickel are in stainless steel, nickel containing alloys with anti-corrosion properties and electroplating. Nickel is used in many industrial applications including the sectors transport, electronics, consumer products, chemicals and batteries.
Releases to the environment
Major sources of release of nickel are the metal industry, combustion of coal and heavy fuel oil. Emissions from refineries and from refinery products (including road tar) are particularly important because of the large amount of refinery fuel oil and residues burnt which contain nickel from the original crude oil. Nickel is found naturally in the earth’s crust.
Impacts on the environment and human health
Excessive exposure to nickel may cause health effects on the blood, lung, nose, kidney, reproductive system, skin and the unborn child. In prolonged and direct contact with skin, nickel may cause an allergic reaction on nickel-sensitised people. Chronic inhalation exposure to nickel fumes may cause cancer. Nickel is also toxic to aquatic life.
International actions
Nickel and its compounds are listed as priority substance in the Water Framework Directive. Furthermore nickel on the EU-Commissions EPER list and listed in the PRTR Protocol under the Århus Convention.
CAS NO: 7440-02-0