From: ACTSNYC**At_Symbol_Here**CS.COM
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Autoclave corroding and nickel toxicity
Date: January 30, 2012 9:51:45 PM EST
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: <35803.495b491f.3c58b141**At_Symbol_Here**cs.com>


An estimated 14% of people are allergic to nickel to some degree.  It was closer to 10% before the piercing craze took hold.  Nickel's ability to sensitize and its carcinogenicity are reasons why the European Union has a regulation called the Nickel Directive that prohibits metal items such as jewelry, glasses frames and watch bands, from leaching even tiny amounts of nickel.  But in US colleges, the casting of nickel silver alloy is common in art and jewelry studios.

Monona




In a message dated 1/30/2012 8:48:51 PM Eastern Standard Time, mwright**At_Symbol_Here**USW.ORG writes:


Nickel in certain forms is carcinogenic, but I can't see how the nickel cladding could get hot enough to fume off. Can you see visible corrosion or rub off visible nickel oxide?



Some people are allergic to nickel - usually it's mild. Unless they are in close contact with it, like touching it frequently, it shouldn't occur - unless the cladding is oxidizing, undergoing some other reaction, or fuming off, all of which seems unlikely.



Michael J. Wright

Director of Health, Safety and Environment

United Steelworkers

5 Gateway Center

Pittsburgh, PA 15222



Work (412) 562-2580

Cell     (412) 370-0105

Fax     (412) 562-2584



mwright**At_Symbol_Here**usw.org






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