Key Points

Fire

• Elemental nickel dust and nickel carbonyl are flammable
• Nickel is incompatible with acids, oxidizing agents and sulphur
• Nickel and nickel carbonyl react violently with oxidants
• Nickel and nickel compounds emit toxic fumes and vapours of nickel carbonyl when heated to decomposition
• In the event of a fire involving nickel carbonyl, use fine water spray and gas tight kit with breathing apparatus
• In the event of a fire involving nickel or nickel compounds, use fine water spray and normal fire kit with breathing apparatus

Health

• Toxic by inhalation, ingestion and skin contact
• Short-term inhalation causes sore throat and hoarseness
• Ingestion may lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain
• Skin exposure can cause irritation and allergic contact dermatitis
• Long-term inhalation may cause asthma, runny nose and inflammation of the sinuses
• Nickel carbonyl and soluble nickel salts are toxic to the unborn child
• Nickel compounds can cause cancer in humans
• Elemental nickel is a possible human carcinogen

Environment

• Avoid release into the environment
• Inform the Environment Agency of substantial incidents

 

All sections are available to download in PDF format below:

• Nickel - Full Document (PDF, 216 KB)
• General Information (PDF, 67 KB)
• Incident Management (PDF, 126 KB)
• Toxicological Overview (PDF, 89 KB)