| Agent Name |
Nickel carbonyl |
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| CAS Number |
13463-39-3 |
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| Formula |
C4-Ni-O4 |
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| Major Category |
Toxic Gases & Vapors |
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| Synonyms |
Nickel tetracarbonyl; Tetracarbonyl nickel; [NIOSH] UN1259 |
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| Category |
Other Toxic Gases & Vapors |
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| Description |
Colorless to yellow liquid with a musty odor. [Note: A gas above 110 degrees F.] [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used to refine nickel by the Mond process; also used to deposit nickel films and as a catalyst to produce organic chemicals; generated in reactions between fine nickel powder and carbon monoxide; [ACGIH] Workers are exposed mainly in nickel refining. Exposure may occur in electroplating and in the electronics industry. Smokers may be exposed. [Sullivan, p. 981-2] |
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| Comments |
Liquid causes second or third degree burns after short contact; [CHRIS] Nickel carbonyl causes liver damage in inhalation and intravenous studies of animals. The estimated lethal dose in humans is 30 ppm with death secondary to lung injury. Urinary nickel levels are useful in medical surveillance of exposed workers. Nickel refining is associated with an increased risk of nasal sinus and lung cancer. [ACGIH] The chest x-ray may show evidence of pulmonary edema after nickel carbonyl exposure. [Sullivan, Table 16.3] Acute findings following heavy exposure may include headache, delirium, seizures, and coma. [LaDou, p. 433] In high-dose animal studies, nickel and nickel carbonyl cause birth defects. [Frazier] See "ORGANOMETALS." |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TIH |
Yes |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
0.05 ppm, as Ni |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
0.001 ppm, as Ni |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
2 ppm |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Other human data: It has been stated that 3 ppm for 30 minutes is the probable short�term exposure limit [Kincaid et al. 1956]. |
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| Vapor Pressure |
315 mm Hg |
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| Odor Threshold Low |
0.5 ppm |
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| Odor Threshold High |
3 ppm |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 35 ppm/30 min |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Odor threshold from AIHA; Vapors are heavier than air and can explode in air at 20 deg C; [Sullivan, p. 981] |
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| Reference Link |
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO) |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
3: may ignite at ambient temperature |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Toxic Pneumonitis |
Yes |
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| Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
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| Neurotoxin |
Other CNS Neurotoxin |
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| Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
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| Reproductive Toxin |
Yes |
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| IARC Carcinogen |
Known Carcinogen |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: NICKEL CARBONYL
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