Nickel carbonyl

by Posted on

2023-02-10

Nickel carbonyl is the organonickel compound with the formula Ni(CO)4. [1] It is a volatile, yellow liquid with a musty odour. Nickel carbonyl is flammable and explosive. It is slightly soluble in water, but soluble in other organic solvents. [2] Nickel carbonyl is formed when metallic nickel combines with carbon monoxide. It is considered to be one of the most toxic chemicals used industrially and the magnitude of its morbidity and mortality has been compared to that of hydrogen cyanide. [3]

Uses [2]

Nickel carbonyl is used in refining nickel ore, forming nickel films and coatings, as a catalyst in various chemical reactions, and in glass plating.

Sources of Emission & Routes of Exposure

Sources of Emission [2]

  • Industry sources: The primary sources of nickel carbonyl are the industries that manufacture it or use it in production, such as nickel mining and refining, the chemical industry, glass and metal plating companies.
  • Diffuse sources: Sub-threshold facilities in the industries that use the substance.
  • Natural sources: Nickel carbonyl is not expected to be found occurring naturally.
  • Transport sources: There are no known sources of mobile emissions of nickel carbonyl.
  • Consumer products: There are no known consumer products containing nickel carbonyl.

Routes of Exposure [4]

Nickel carbonyl enters the body via:

  • inhalation,
  • ingestion,
  • skin absorption,
  • skin and/or eye contact

Health Effects

Acute Effects [4]

  • Initial exposure to nickel carbonyl can cause headache, chest tightness, dizziness, weakness, sweating, cough, nausea and vomiting.
  • These may improve, but hours later (12 hours to five days) following a severe exposure, lung (pulmonary) symptoms may appear including fever, pneumonia, respiratory failure, cerebral oedema and death.
  • At lower concentrations these vapours cause irritation, congestion, and oedema of the lung.

Chronic Effects [5]

  • Dermatitis is the most common effect in humans from chronic dermal exposure to nickel. Cases of nickel dermatitis have been reported following occupational and non-occupational exposure, with symptoms of eczema (rash, itching) of the fingers, hands, wrists, and forearms.
  • Chronic inhalation exposure to nickel in humans also results in respiratory effects, including a type of asthma specific to nickel, decreased lung function, and bronchitis.

Reproductive/Developmental Effects [2]

  • Nickel carbonyl may be a teratogen (cause harm to a foetus).

Cancer Risk [5]

  • Nickel carbonyl has been reported to produce lung tumours in rats exposed via inhalation.
  • EPA has classified nickel carbonyl as a Group B2, probable human carcinogen.

Safety [6]

First Aid Measures

  • Inhalation: If adverse effects occur, remove to uncontaminated area. Give artificial respiration if not breathing. If breathing is difficult, oxygen should be administered by qualified personnel. Get immediate medical attention.
  • Skin Contact: Wash skin with soap and water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Get medical attention, if needed. Thoroughly clean and dry contaminated clothing and shoes before reuse.
  • Eye Contact: Flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Then get immediate medical attention.
  • Ingestion: If vomiting occurs, keep head lower than hips to help prevent aspiration. If person is unconscious, turn head to side. Get medical attention immediately.
  • Antidote: dimercaprol/oil, intramuscular.
  • Note to Physician: For inhalation, consider oxygen. For ingestion, consider gastric lavage.

Fire Hazard Information

  • Nickel carbonyl poses a severe fire and explosion hazard.
  • As the vapour is heavier than air, it may ignite at distant ignition sources and flash back.
  • Vapour/air mixtures are explosive.
  • Alcohol-resistant foam, carbon dioxide, regular dry chemical and water should be used to extinguish a nickel carbonyl fire.
  • For large fires, use alcohol-resistant foam or flood with fine water spray.
  • Thermal decomposition or combustion products of nickel carbonyl include oxides of carbon, oxides of nickel.

Exposure Controls & Personal Protection

Engineering Controls

  • Ventilation: Ventilation equipment should be explosion-resistant if explosive concentrations of material are present.
  • Provide local exhaust or process enclosure ventilation system. Ensure compliance with applicable exposure limits.

Personal Protective Equipment

The following personal protective equipment is recommended when handling nickel carbonyl:

  • Eye protection: Wear splash resistant safety goggles with a face-shield. Provide an emergency eye wash fountain and quick drench shower in the immediate work area.
  • Clothing: Wear appropriate chemical resistant clothing.
  • Gloves: Wear appropriate chemical resistant gloves.
  • Respirator: The following respirators and maximum use concentrations are drawn from NIOSH and/or OSHA.

At any detectable concentration

  • Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full-face piece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode.
  • Any supplied-air respirator with a full-face piece that is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in pressure demand or other positive-pressure mode.

Escape

  • Any air-purifying full-face piece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front-mounted or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of concern.
  • Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus.

For Unknown Concentrations or Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health

  • Any supplied-air respirator with a full-face piece that is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in pressure demand or other positive-pressure mode.
  • Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full-face piece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode.

Regulation

United States [7]

OSHA: The Occupational Safety & Health Administration has set the following Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) for nickel carbonyl:

  • General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1 Table — 0.001 ppm, 0.007 mg/m3 TWA (PEL listed under Nickel carbonyl (as Ni))
  • Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A — 0.001 ppm, 0.007 mg/m3 TWA (PEL listed under Nickel carbonyl (as Ni))
  • Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards — 0.001 ppm, 0.007 mg/m3 TWA (PEL listed under Nickel carbonyl (as Ni))

ACGIH: The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists has set a Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for nickel carbonyl of 0.05 ppm, 0.12 mg/m3 TWA (TLV listed under Nickel carbonyl, as Ni)

NIOSH: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has set a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL)for nickel carbonyl of 0.001 ppm, 0.007 mg/m3 TWA; Appendix A – NIOSH Potential Occupational Carcinogens

Australia [4]

Safe Work Australia: Safe Work Australia has set an eight hour time weighted average (TWA) exposure limit of 0.05 parts per million for nickel carbonyl.

Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (NHMRC and ARMCANZ, 1996):

For nickel: Maximum of 0.02 mg/L (i.e. 0.00002 g/L).

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_tetracarbonyl

http://www.npi.gov.au/resource/nickel-carbonyl

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8383493

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0444.html

http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/nickel.html

https://www.mathesongas.com/pdfs/msds/MAT16290.pdf

https://www.osha.gov/dts/chemicalsampling/data/CH_256150.html