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Nickel concentrations in fingernails as a measure of occupational exposure to nickel
Author(s) -
Peters Kurt,
Gammelgaard Bente,
Menné Torkil
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
contact dermatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0536
pISSN - 0105-1873
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0536.1991.tb01851.x
Subject(s) - nickel , nickel compounds , occupational exposure , significant difference , toxicology , chemistry , medicine , environmental health , biology , organic chemistry
The nickel concentration in fingernails from 2 groups of people occupationally exposed to nickel was determined. In one group, comprising 83 persons moderately exposed to nickel, the mean ± standard deviation (SD) was 29.2 μg/g ± 56.7 μg/g and the median 13.8 μg/g (range 0.926–396 μg/g). In the other group, comprising 51 persons heavily exposed to nickel, the mean ± SD was 123 μg/g ± 289 μg/g and the median 29.9 μg/g (range 1.95–1770 μg/g). Both levels were significantly different from the normal nickel concentration in nails ( p <0.001). The difference between the 2 levels was also significant ( p <0.001). No correlation between the nickel concentration in fingernails and the duration of exposure could be demonstrated. It was concluded that the higher the nickel level in the fingernails, the greater is the possibility that the person is occupy Initially exposed to nickel. Nail analysis is suggested as a measure of occupational exposure to nickel.