Nickel concentrations in fingernails as a measure of occupational exposure to nickel

Peters, K.; Gammelgaard, Bente; Menné, Torkil

doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.1991.tb01851.x

Cited by 49 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 6 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…A Danish occupational study found the relative Ni fingernail concentrations to be higher among heavily exposed workers (median 29.9 μg/g) than among moderately exposed workers (median 13.8 μg/g), 17 and in turn were much lower among a control group (median 0.49 μg/g). On the other hand, a reference study in Detroit, Michigan, showed the median concentration of Ni in non-exposed subjects’ toenails to be 37.4 μg/g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…9 In particular, toenail As concentrations have been shown to be a good biomarker of environmental exposure to As. 10 – 12 The concentration of Cr in toenails has also been used as a biomarker of exposure in epidemiologic studies, 13 – 15 as well as concentrations of Ni in toenails 16 and fingernails, 17 although to a lesser extent than As or Cr.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Concentrations of Arsenic, Chromium, and Nickel in Toenail Samples From Appalachian Kentucky Residents

Johnson

Shelton

Hopenhayn

et al. 2011

J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Lung cancer rates in Appalachian Kentucky are almost twice national rates; colorectal cancer rates are also elevated. Although smoking prevalence is high, it does not explain all excess risk. The area is characterized by poverty, low educational attainment, and unemployment. Coal production is a major industry. Pyrite contaminants of coal contain established human carcinogens, arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni). We compared biological exposure to As, Cr, and Ni for adults living in Appalachian Kentucky with residents of Jefferson, a non-Appalachian, urban county. We further compared lung and colon cancer rates, demographics, and smoking prevalence across the study areas. Toenail clipping analysis measured As, Cr, and Ni for residents of 23 rural Appalachian Kentucky counties and for Jefferson County. Reverse Kaplan-Meier statistical methodology addressed left-censored data. Appalachian residents were exposed to higher concentrations of As, Cr, and Ni than Jefferson County residents. Lung cancer incidence and mortality rates in Appalachia are higher than Jefferson County and elsewhere in the state, as are colorectal mortality rates. Environmental factors may contribute to the increased concentration of trace elements measured in residents of the Appalachian region. Routes of human exposure need to be determined.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Concentrations of Arsenic, Chromium, and Nickel in Toenail Samples From Appalachian Kentucky Residents

Johnson

Shelton

Hopenhayn

et al. 2011

J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Following sampling, the nickel content is analysed, for example, by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Measurements of nickel nail deposits in individuals with suspected occupational exposure to nickel was used in combination with elicitation thresholds to define occupational exposure with a cut‐off value of 8 μg of nickel per gram . Finger immersion has been used to evaluate nickel skin exposure in different occupations .…”

Section: Exposure Quantificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nickel allergy and allergic contact dermatitis: A clinical review of immunology, epidemiology, exposure, and treatment

et al. 2019

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Nickel is the most frequent cause of contact allergy worldwide and has been studied extensively. This clinical review provides an updated overview of the epidemiology, exposure sources, methods for exposure quantification, skin deposition and penetration, immunology, diagnosis, thresholds for sensitization and elicitation, clinical pictures, prevention, and treatment. The implementation of a nickel regulation in Europe led to a decrease in the prevalence of nickel allergy, and changes in the clinical picture and disease severity. Nevertheless, the prevalences of nickel allergy in the European general population are approximately 8% to 19% in adults and 8% to 10% in children and adolescents, with a strong female predominance. Well‐known consumer items such as jewellery and metal in clothing are still the main causes of nickel allergy and dermatitis, although a wide range of items for both private and occupational use may cause dermatitis. Allergic nickel dermatitis may be localized to the nickel exposure site, be more widespread, or present as hand eczema. Today, efficient methods for exposure quantification exist, and new insights regarding associated risk factors and immunological mechanisms underlying the disease have been obtained. Nevertheless, questions remain in relation to the pathogenesis, the persistent high prevalence, and the treatment of severe cases.

show abstract

“…(28) In Mortada et al, (42) Pb was measured in toenail samples taken from police officers exposed to traffic pollution, which were significantly associated with increased markers of nephrotoxicity. Higher Ni concentrations have been found in the fingernails of welders (43) and other metal workers. (25) A recent study in rats found that exposure to Mn in welding fumes was correlated with manganese concentration in nails, as well as Mn accumulation in dopaminergic brain areas, (44) indicating that toenail metal concentration may reflect neurotoxicant deposition in the brain.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Toenail Metal Concentration as a Biomarker of Occupational Welding Fume Exposure

Grashow¹,

Jinming²,

Fang

et al. 2014

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In populations exposed to heavy metals, there are few biomarkers that capture intermediate exposure windows. We sought to determine the correlation between toenail metal concentrations and prior 12 month work activity in welders with variable, metal-rich, welding fume exposures. Forty-eight participants, recruited through a local union, provided 69 sets of toenail clippings. Union-supplied and worker verified personal work histories were used to quantify hours welded and respirator use. Toenail samples were digested and analyzed for lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni) and arsenic (As) using ICP-MS. Spearman correlation coefficients were used to examine the correlation between toenail metal concentrations. Using mixed models to account for multiple participation times, we divided hours welded into three-month intervals and examined how weld hours correlated with log-transformed toenail Pb, Mn, Cd, Ni and As concentrations. Highest concentrations were found for Ni, followed by Mn, Pb and As, and Cd. All of the metals were significantly correlated with one another (rho range=0.28-0.51), with the exception of Ni and As (rho=0.20, p=0.17). Using mixed models adjusted for age, respirator use, smoking status and BMI, we found that Mn was associated with weld hours 7-9 months prior to clipping (p = 0.003), Pb was associated with weld hours 10-12 months prior to clipping (p=0.03) and over the entire year (p=0.04). Cd was associated with weld hours 10-12 months prior to clipping (p=0.05), and also with the previous year's total hours welded (p=0.02). The association between Ni and weld hours 7-9 months prior to clipping approached significance (p=0.06). Toenail metal concentrations were not associated with the long-term exposure metric, years as a welder. Results suggest Mn, Pb, and Cd may have particular windows of relevant exposure that reflect work activity. In a population with variable exposure, toenails may serve as useful COMPETING INTERESTSThe authors declare they have no competing financial interests. HHS Public Access

show abstract

Nickel concentrations in fingernails as a measure of occupational exposure to nickel

Cited by 49 publications

References 6 publications

Concentrations of Arsenic, Chromium, and Nickel in Toenail Samples From Appalachian Kentucky Residents

Concentrations of Arsenic, Chromium, and Nickel in Toenail Samples From Appalachian Kentucky Residents

Nickel allergy and allergic contact dermatitis: A clinical review of immunology, epidemiology, exposure, and treatment

Toenail Metal Concentration as a Biomarker of Occupational Welding Fume Exposure

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About