The harm of nickel in jewelry. Toxic properties of nickel and its compounds Lack of nickel in the body

The human body contains approximately 10 mg of nickel (nickel), the highest concentrations in the liver, lungs, pancreas, kidneys and pituitary gland.

The role of nickel in the human body

Its role has not been studied deeply enough, but it is known that nickel:

1. It takes part in the organization of the structure and in the functioning of the main components of the cell - RNA, DNA, protein.
2. Stimulates the processes of hematopoiesis, together with copper, and participating in the processes of hematopoiesis. Nickel is similar in its effect to cobalt.
3. Activates some enzymes, taking part as a structural component.
4. Involved in fat metabolism, providing cells with oxygen.
5. Certain doses of nickel activate the action of insulin.
6. Involved in the hormonal regulation of the body.
7. Associated with glucose metabolism.

Nickel in food

Manifestations of excess nickel: destructive effect on chromosomes and other elements of cells, slowing down the activity of enzymes and hormones, decreased immune activity.

Nickel excess symptoms:

• asthma;
• swelling of the brain and lungs;
• increased excitability of the central nervous system, decreased response to stressful situations;
• retardation of growth and development;
• in some cases, magnesium deficiency and an excess of zinc or iron;
• the occurrence of allergic reactions: contact dermatitis, rhinitis;
• skin depigmentation - vitiligo;
• tachycardia, blood pressure drops;
• anemia;
• deterioration of the immune system, an increase in the likelihood of developing tumors in the kidneys, lungs, and skin.

Toxic properties of nickel and its compounds

An important role in environmental pollution is played by heavy metals, including nickel.

The content of nickel in the earth's crust is 8–10–3% (by mass). It is mainly found in the form of copper-nickel sulfide, oxidized silicate and arsenic ores. Nickel is used to obtain highly ductile and corrosion-resistant alloys (with iron, chromium, copper, etc.); for nickel plating of medical instruments, parts of cars, bicycles, chemical equipment, production of batteries; in the fat and perfume industry; for the preparation of catalysts; in the production of organic compounds.

The main sources of environmental pollution with nickel are enterprises of the mining industry, non-ferrous metallurgy, machine-building, metalworking, chemical, instrument-making and others that use various nickel compounds in technological processes; thermal power plants operating on fuel oil and coal; transport.

Nickel pollution is most often local: biogeochemical "provinces" are formed with an increased content of nickel in soil, water, air, and local food products of plant and animal origin.

Nickel can enter water as a result of weathering from bedrock and leaching from the soil. Significant amounts of nickel enter the reservoirs with wastewater from industrial enterprises.

Atmospheric air pollution with nickel compounds occurs as a result of emissions from enterprises for its production and processing; when burning solid and liquid fuels. Nickel enters the air with vehicle exhaust gases in amounts depending on the type of fuel used, as well as in the form of wear products of car tires and car parts.

Table. Nickel content (mg/kg fresh weight) in products of plant and animal origin

Sea water contains about 10 -5% nickel, fresh water - 10 -6 -10 -7%, underground -
up to 10–5%.

An average of 0.3–0.6 mg of nickel per day enters the human body with food, which, according to many researchers, covers the daily need for it in an adult.

Contaminating the soil, nickel and its compounds cause changes in microbial cenoses: the number of bacteria in the surface soil layer decreases and increases at a depth of 10–15 cm; the number of actinomycetes decreases and the number of fungi increases.

In water bodies, as a result of sorption of ions, the formation of insoluble compounds, and absorption by various organisms, nickel is deposited. In river silts, its amount reaches 0.01%.

The toxicity of nickel and its compounds depends on the route of entry into the body and solubility. The toxicity of water-soluble nickel compounds (sulfate and chloride) is approximately 30 times higher than that of poorly soluble compounds (oxide and sulfite).

Nickel chloride at concentrations of 0.1–1.5 mg/l causes the death of a number of algae; at a concentration of 0.7 mg / l and above - the death of daphnia. At a concentration of 4.0–4.5 mg/l, it causes the death of minnow and carp after 200 hours, and at a concentration of 8.1 mg/l, after several hours.

At a concentration of 1 mg/l, nickel causes oat chlorosis; at higher concentrations, growth retardation of vegetable and grain crops is observed, a significant increase in the nickel content in plants.

Nickel enters the body mainly through the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract and skin.

The workers involved in the production of nickel and its compounds are prone to diseases of the upper respiratory tract and bronchopulmonary system: bronchitis, emphysema (dilation) of the lungs, decreased lung capacity, and asthma. Both chronic and acute poisoning with nickel and its compounds can be fatal. There is a known case of the death of a worker who performed welding work for 90 minutes without a respirator.

Different animal species have different susceptibility to air pollution by nickel compounds. At high concentrations of nickel (for this species) in the air, intoxication developed in the very first hours, which was accompanied by the appearance of shortness of breath, apathy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and symptoms of damage to the nervous system; signs of pulmonary insufficiency increased up to the death of animals in a few hours. In chronic exposure, as well as in acute, first of all, disturbances occurred in the lung tissue.

Intoxication with nickel and its compounds is also observed when it enters the body with food or water.

Chronic exposure to nickel chloride (up to 8.6 mg/kg) on ​​people for 3 months led to the manifestation of clinical symptoms of intoxication: lethargy, ataxia (disorder of movement coordination), respiratory failure, decrease in body temperature, salivation, strabismus, constipation. Decreased balance and absorption of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, copper, decreased iodine fixation (impact on the functional state of the thyroid gland), signs of development of protein degeneration were noted.

The absolutely lethal dose of metallic nickel (metal dust suspension) for rats and mice is 1200 mg/kg, the minimum lethal dose is 500 mg/kg. In animals, weight loss, leukocytosis, fever, changes in skin vascular permeability, impaired liver and kidney function, and ECG changes were observed. In most cases, the animals died 3–5 days after nickel administration.

A case of a two-year-old child who swallowed 570 mg/kg of nickel sulfate died after 8 hours as a result of cardiac arrest.

In low concentrations, nickel can cause dermatitis and hand eczema in people who are sensitive to it. At the same time, these same diseases also occur with insufficient nickel content in food products.

There are few data on the toxicity of nickel and its compounds in the skin. Skin applications of nickel chloride to guinea pigs caused allergic reactions against the background of a toxic effect. Rubbing a 5% solution of nickel sulfate into the skin of the back of rabbits led to the appearance of symptoms of severe intoxication.

In the blood of people with contact dermatoses, an increased content of nickel was found.

The first epidemiological studies of the oncological danger of various nickel compounds were started more than 60 years ago. Mortality from cancer of all localizations among workers of 6 nickel production enterprises (for 13 years) exceeded mortality in the control group - the population of cities located near these enterprises.

According to the classification of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), nickel metal (dust) and nickel hyposulfite are carcinogens and dangerous at concentrations of 0.0004–0.4 and 0.0001–0.1 mg/m 3 , respectively.

A medical and hygienic examination of workers in the electrolysis shop at the Apatit nickel plant in Monchegorsk (exposure to nickel at concentrations of 0.087–0.183 mg/m 3) showed that the frequency of spontaneous abortions in women working at the plant was much higher than the frequency of spontaneous abortions in families in which neither spouse was occupationally exposed to nickel. The risk of spontaneous abortions in women under the influence of nickel on men is 2 times lower compared to the risk under the action of nickel directly on women.

It has been established that the maximum accumulation of nickel in the tissues of the fetus occurs at the 12–19th week of pregnancy. The presence of nickel was also found in the body of newborns. This indicates the passage of nickel through the placenta. A medical study revealed a significant increase in the number of newborns with malformations among female employees of the nickel plant (16.9%) compared with the control group of female construction workers (5.8%).

In the cell culture of Chinese hamster sulfate, hyposulfite and nickel oxide cause a pronounced mutagenic effect.

Nickel compounds usually do not affect the frequency of chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes, mouse bone marrow cells, but increase the frequency of micronuclei.

The introduction of nickel sulfate into the stomach of male mice at a dose of 5.0 and 1.0 mg/kg (1/20 and 1/100 DL 50 - a dose that causes the death of 50% of animals) caused a pronounced mutagenic effect: an increase in the frequency of dominant lethal mutations (DLM ) at all stages of spermatogenesis. When mating with female males, in the germ cells of which DLM has arisen, either the death of the fertilized egg occurs before implantation in the uterus, or the death of the developing embryo.

Exposure to nickel salt at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg (1/200 DL 50) did not increase the frequency of DLM in germ cells at any stage of spermatogenesis. Based on the data obtained, a threshold level (1/100 DL 50) and an inactive level (1/200 DL 50) of nickel sulfate were established.

For substances in various environments, there are maximum concentrations at which these substances do not have an adverse effect on people either at work or at home. In our country, the maximum permissible concentrations (MPC) of harmful substances in production conditions and in the environment have been established.

MPC in the air of the working area is the concentration at which harmful substances do not cause diseases or deviations in the state of health in workers (with an average 8-hour work shift throughout the entire work experience) directly in the process of work or in the long term.

For nickel and its salts, the following MPCs have been established.

1. For reservoirs of sanitary water use - 0.1 mg / l.

2. For the atmospheric air of populated areas: soluble nickel salts - 0.0002 mg / m 3; nickel metal and nickel oxide - 0.001 mg / m 3.

3. For the air of the working area: nickel carbonyl - 0.0005 mg / m 3; nickel salts in the form of a hydroaerosol in terms of nickel - 0.005 mg / m 3; nickel metal, its oxides, sulfide and mixtures of these compounds in terms of nickel - 0.05 mg / m 3.

Studies by various European organizations (Nickel Institute, Nickel Producers Environmental Research Association (NiPERA)) on the effect of nickel on the manifestation of allergic reactions show a predisposition of 5-20% of the population to such a disease as ACD (allergic contact dermatitis).

An invisible enemy to women's health

At the same time, the studies provide evidence that there is a gradual accumulation of toxic nickel in the body and this disease can manifest itself even in areas of the body that are not in contact with the allergen itself. According to statistics, about 10–12% of the female population and 2–3% of the male population have a congenital allergy to nickel; acquired (most often with constant contact with the allergen) dermatitis Nickel dermatitis or "nickel itch".

A new standard in the jewelry industry

The result of these many years of research was the adoption of the European standard EN 1811:2011, which prohibits the use of nickel not only in jewelry, but also limits its use in everyday products (buttons, zippers, fasteners, etc.). Our State Standard also has a similar restriction in “GOST 10733-98 State Standard of the Russian Federation. Watches are wrist and pocket mechanical. General Specifications”, but only for watch products.

Section "Safety requirements" GOST 10733-98

• Clause 4.29.1: The maximum allowable nickel migration rate should not exceed 0.5 µg/cm2 per week for components and parts of the external design of the watch (case, bracelet, chain, strap buckle) that have direct contact with the human body.
• Paragraph 6.21: Control over the release of nickel in accordance with 4.29.1 is carried out according to the procedure approved in the prescribed manner.

Following the standards

EPL company. Yakut diamonds" offers its customers jewelry made using the technology " Nickel FREE". We abandoned cheap and poisonous nickel, and instead of it in the production of our

Nickel, is a chemical substance with 28 serial number in the table of elements. In its pure form, nickel is a silvery hard metal (it looks very much like silver), malleable and well polished. Nickel has similar properties to iron and cobalt. The name of the element comes from the name of the evil spirit of the mountains, which, in their opinion, threw them fake copper "Kupfernickel" ( Kupfernickel- copper devil). The nickel content in the earth's crust is 0.0075%.

Nickel is of great practical importance for industry (it is used to obtain corrosion-resistant, highly ductile alloys, as an alloying additive and for coating metal products - nickel plating). Most (60%) of the mined nickel goes to the production of stainless steel, which is used in the construction of buildings, goes to the production of water pipes, etc.

Biological action

Nickel is concentrated in those organs and tissues where intensive metabolic processes, biosynthesis of hormones, vitamins and other biologically active compounds take place. Nickel is deposited in the pancreas and parathyroid glands, the pituitary gland.

The biological role of nickel is not well understood.

• Nickel has a beneficial effect on the processes of hematopoiesis (in this it is like cobalt);
• Helps cell membranes and nucleic acids to maintain a normal structure;
• Participates in the exchange of vitamin B12, ascorbic acid;
• Maintains the required level of calcium;.
• Enhances the action of insulin;
• Influences enzymatic processes;
• Able to inhibit the action of adrenaline and lower blood pressure.

Nickel, included in the alloys used in everyday life (jewelry, rivets, dishes) is the main cause of allergy (contact dermatitis) to metals (the intensity of the reaction may vary) that come into contact with the skin (jewelry, watches, jeans rivets). Nickel from food, as well as contact with nickel alloys, often causes an allergy in the form of eczema. In patients with eczema, the concentration of Cu, Zn and Nickel in the blood is increased. In the European Union, the nickel content in products that come into contact with human skin is limited.

In the presence of a contact allergy to nickel, after contact with the metal, allergic eczema can appear on any part of the body.

An average of 0.3–0.6 mg of nickel per day enters the human body with food, which, according to many researchers, covers the daily need for it in an adult.

Nickel Sources

Plant products growing on soils near nickel production contain it (nickel) in high concentrations.

Foods high in nickel include chocolate (especially dark), peas, lentils and other legumes, nuts, sunflower seeds, and leafy greens.

Nickel deficiency

Insufficient intake of nickel causes growth retardation, a decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood, and sugar may slightly increase.

Nickel deficiency is extremely rare, so you should not take nickel-containing drugs without an examination. Nickel is potentially dangerous and causes onco- and mutagenesis.

Excess nickel in the body

With excessive intake of nickel into the human body, it is toxic. The toxicity of nickel depends on the route of entry into the body and the solubility of its compounds. More soluble in water (nickel sulfate and chloride) are 30 times more toxic, poorly soluble (oxide and sulfite).

Excessive intake of nickel in the body can cause changes in hematopoiesis, dystrophic changes in the liver and kidneys, disorders of the cardiovascular, nervous and digestive systems, carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolism, dysfunction of the thyroid gland and reproductive function, corneal ulceration, keratitis, vitiligo, cancer. - and mutagenesis. With prolonged exposure to nickel chloride, ataxia (disorder of movement coordination), respiratory failure, and the balance of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and iodine are observed.

High levels of nickel in the blood may also be associated with arthritis and contact dermatoses.

At the enterprises of the metallurgical industry, where nickel and its compounds are used, diseases of the upper respiratory tract and bronchopulmonary system are common among workers. Both chronic and acute poisoning with nickel and its compounds can be fatal. There is a known case of the death of a worker who performed welding work for 90 minutes without a respirator.

Nickel carbonyl compounds used in industry are carcinogenic substances of the 1st hazard group.

mineral-details

Products made from nickel alloys with other metals are very common: jewelry, jeans rivets, kitchen utensils, plumbing, sewing needles, knitting needles, coins. Medical products: surgical instruments, braces, prostheses, implants. Created on the basis of nickel "smart material" is able to restore its original shape after deformation, in particular, spectacle frames are made from it.

Nickel is a component of household chemicals and cosmetics.

The numbers engraved on the back of the dinner forks and spoons (18/10, 18/8 or 18/0) indicate the percentage of chromium and nickel.

Nickel mining in the Russian Federation is not of great strategic importance, as, for example, oil and gas production. Nevertheless, the country has significant reserves of ore deposits of this metal and is actively developing explored deposits. Production volumes are increasing every year, and for the last 5 years the world leader in nickel production has been the Russian company MMC Norilsk Nickel.

The main mining sites in Russia are located in the Murmansk and Voronezh regions, as well as in the Urals and in the Norilsk region. The share of world nickel reserves in the territory of the Russian Federation is estimated at 13.2%, which is the leading indicator among all countries.

Is there a threat to the environment?

But, as you know, nature does not tolerate emptiness, so the extraction of minerals is associated with certain risks. So it’s worth figuring out why nickel mining is harmful. First, as in any other mining industry, a large amount of waste remains, which includes rocks, poor ores and various chemicals. Extracted to the surface, they begin to enter into uncontrolled chemical reactions, which can lead to an environmental disaster.

All vegetation will disappear from the mining area, the natural habitat of many living organisms will be disturbed, which will not be able to adapt to new conditions, and will either be forced to leave the populated area, or will be on the verge of extinction in the mining area. And, given the fact that the natural area is constantly shrinking due to violent human activity, this will become a serious problem in the conservation of nature and the preservation of all its inhabitants.

Mining companies say they are aware of all the threats from mining the material and promise to store waste in special underground storage facilities that will be sealed and will not be able to harm the environment. But this is all on paper, but in practice, firms often chase instant profits, regardless of the consequences of their activities.

Therefore, environmental safety issues must be brought to the state level and commissions should be created that will carefully monitor compliance with the technological process and security measures. The negative consequences of nickel mining also affect groundwater. The fact is that the extraction of ore occurs from a depth of up to 300 meters, so a certain amount of harmful elements enters the groundwater.

Local risks

The extraction of the substance in the Voronezh region has long been a concern for local residents. Local activists gather for constant protests and conduct explanatory work with the population. But it does not bring visible results yet. Representatives of the mining company claim that they have everything under control and there is no reason to worry. Meanwhile, the harm from nickel mining is already visible to the naked eye.

Ecologists say that without serious investments in the construction of protective structures, the region will be on the verge of an ecological disaster in a few years. It is worth considering the fact that ore processing has an even greater negative impact on the environment. And in our country, unfortunately, it is much cheaper to pay a fine than to deal with issues of environmental safety of production.

Nickel mining is opposed not only by public activists, but also by members of environmental organizations. They warn that uncontrolled mining and the lack of necessary security structures could cost local residents dearly in the not-too-distant future. Now, not everyone is aware of the threat, as a large mining enterprise provides thousands of jobs and fills the local budget. But in which case, the miners will simply leave the waste production and move to another area of ​​the vast country, and the local residents will be left alone with their problems.

For example, in Novokhopersk, mining is carried out by building an underground mine, the depth of which is 245 meters. After the extraction of all nickel-containing ores, a void remains, which must be filled with a special composition. Otherwise, a failure of the upper layers of the soil may occur, which is fraught with a serious man-made disaster for nearby settlements.

And nickel mining in the Khoper region has already led to groundwater pollution, which has caused irreparable harm to agricultural enterprises in the region. Yields of many important crops have declined significantly, and some plants have ceased to sprout altogether. The agrarians began to sound the alarm and even wrote an open letter to the leadership of the Russian Federation, which so far remains unanswered.

To date, environmentalists claim the pollution of 700 hectares of land that was previously used for growing industrial crops. And this area is increasing almost daily. The Chernozem region is also under threat due to nickel mining. In this area there is a nature protection zone with a unique ecosystem, which, without urgent measures, is threatened with complete destruction.

In addition, in the regions where nickel ores are mined, the population has an increase in the number of respiratory diseases of varying severity. The risk of developing malignant tumors also increases. Therefore, the state must take this issue under strict control and resolutely suppress all crimes against nature. Otherwise, in a few decades, humanity will completely exhaust all the resources of the Earth and our planet will become uninhabitable.