FLUCTUATIONS OF NICKEL CONCENTRATIONS IN URINE OF ELECTROPLATING WORKERS

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 10  (1) , 33-39
Abstract
Ni analyses were performed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry on urine specimens obtained from electroplating workers at the beginning, middle and end of the work-shift. The means (.+-. SD) for Ni concentrations in urine specimens from 7 electroplating workers on 3 regular workdays were: 34 .+-. 32 .mu.g/l (pre-shift), 64 .+-. 63 .mu.g/l (mid-shift) and 46 .+-. 32 .mu.g/l (end-shift), compared to 2.7 .+-. 1.6 .mu.g/l (pre-shift) in 19 controls (hospital workers). Ni concentrations in urine specimens from 6 electroplating workers on the first workday after a 2-wk vacation averaged: 5 .+-. 3 .mu.g/l (pre-shift), 9 .+-. 6 .mu.g/l (mid-shift) and 12 .+-. 6 .mu.g/l (end-shift). Ni concentrations in personal air samples (7 h) collected from the breathing zones of 5 electroplating workers on 3 regular workdays averaged 9.3 .+-. 4.4 .mu.g/m3. Ni concentrations in the air samples were correlated with Ni concentrations in end-shift urine specimens (correlation coefficient = 0.70, P < 0.05), but were not correlated with Ni concentrations in pre-shift or mid-shift urine specimens. In view of the fluctuations of urine Ni concentrations that occur during the work-shift, Ni analyses of 8 h urine specimens should be used routinely to monitor Ni occupational exposures. In situations where timed urine collections are impractical, analyses of end-shift urine specimens are the best alternative. [Ni is a constituent of many toxic and carcinogenic compounds.].