Nickel - 28Ni: biological information
Nickel is an essential trace element for many species. Chicks and rats raised on nickel-deficient diets have liver problems. Enzymes known as hydrogenases in bacteria contain nickel. Nickel is also important in plant ureases.
Levels in humans
The abundances of the elements in humans.
- Human abundance by weight: 100 ppb by weight
- Human abundance by atoms: 11 atoms relative to C = 1000000
How much nickel is in your body? Find out here.
You can use this form to calculate how much nickel your body contains. Enter your weight in either kilograms or pounds and click the "Calculate" button. You must enter a number, not text! Elements for which there are no data will always give a value of zero for the weight, no matter what you put in the weight box.
Hazards and Risks
Hazards and risks associated with nickel:
Nickel metal powder is a fire hazard. Unless known otherwise, all nickel compounds should be regarded as toxic. Nickel compounds are very toxic for plants. Some are carcinogenic and teratogenic. The highly volatile nickel carbonyl [Ni(CO)4] is extremely toxic and only to be handled by competent persons in very well-ventilated areas.
References
- J.E. Huheey, E.A. Keiter, and R.L. Keiter in Inorganic Chemistry : Principles of Structure and Reactivity, 4th edition, HarperCollins, New York, USA, 1993.
- S. Budavari (Ed.) in The Merck Index, 11th ed., Merck, USA, 1989.
- N.N. Greenwood and A. Earnshaw in Chemistry of the Elements, 2nd edition, Butterworth, UK, 1997.