Sorted By Test Name - Mayo Medical Laboratories

NIRU
60441
Useful For: Detecting nickel toxicity in patients exposed to nickel carbonyl
Interpretation: Values > or = 7 mcg/24-hour specimen represent possible environmental or
occupational exposure. Nickel concentrations >50 mcg/24-hour specimen are of concern, suggesting
excessive exposure. Clinical concern about nickel toxicity should be limited to patients with potential for
exposure to toxic nickel compounds such as nickel carbonyl. Hypernickelemia, in the absence of exposure
to that specific form of nickel, may be an incidental finding or could be due to specimen contamination.
Reference Values:
0.0-6.0 mcg/specimen
Reference values apply to all ages.
Clinical References: 1. Moreno ME, Acosta-Saavedra LC, Meza-Figueroa D, et al: Biomonitoring
of metal in children living in a mine tailings zone in Southern Mexico: A pilot study. Int J Hyg Environ
Hlth 2010;213:252-258 2. Schulz C, Angerer J, Ewers U, et al: Revised and new reference values for
environmental pollutants in urine or blood of children in Germany derived from the German
Environmental Survey on Children 2003-2006 (GerES IV). Int J Hyg Environ Health 2009;212:637-647
Nickel, Random, Urine
Clinical Information: Nickel (Ni), a silvery white metal widely distributed in the earth's crust, is
essential for the catalytic activity of some plant and bacterial Enzymes, but its role in humans has not been
defined. Elemental nickel may be essential for life at very low concentrations and is virtually nontoxic.
Nickel is commonly used in industry. It is a pigment in glass, ceramics, and fabric dyes. It is converted in
the Mond process to nickel carbonyl, Ni(CO)(4), and used as a catalyst in petroleum refining and in the
plastics industry, is frequently employed in the production of metal alloys (which are popular for their
anticorrosive and hardness properties) in nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries, and is used as a catalyst
in hydrogenation of oils. Ni(CO)(4), a liquid with low vapor pressure, is 1 of the most toxic chemicals
known to man. Ni(CO)(4) is absorbed after inhalation, readily crosses all biological membranes, and
noncompetitively inhibits ATP-ase and RNA polymerase. Ni(CO)(4) binds avidly to hemoglobin with
resultant inability to take up oxygen. The affinity for hemoglobin is higher than carbon monoxide. The
binding to hemoglobin is the main transport mechanism for spreading Ni(CO)(4) throughout the body.
Urine is the specimen of choice for the determination of nickel exposure via inhalation. Breathing dust
high in nickel content has been associated with development of neoplasms of the respiratory system and
nasal sinuses. Most reactions to nickel are localized skin sensitivity and allergic skin disorders that occur
on contact with nickel-containing alloys. These reactions do not correlate to urine concentrations; patients
experiencing skin sensitivity reactions to nickel are likely to have normal nickel excretion. Patients
undergoing dialysis are exposed to nickel and accumulate nickel in blood and other organs; there appear
to be no adverse health affects from this exposure. Hypernickelemia has been observed in patients
undergoing renal dialysis. At the present time, this is considered to be an incidental finding as no
correlation with toxic events has been identified. Routine monitoring of patients undergoing dialysis is
currently not recommended.
Useful For: Detecting nickel toxicity in patients exposed to nickel carbonyl
Interpretation: Values > or =7 mcg/L specimen represent possible environmental or occupational
exposure. Nickel concentrations >50 mcg/L are of concern, suggesting excessive exposure. Clinical
concern about nickel toxicity should be limited to patients with potential for exposure to toxic nickel
compounds such as nickel carbonyl. Hypernickelemia, in the absence of exposure to that specific form of
nickel, may be an incidental finding or could be due to specimen contamination.
Reference Values:
0.0-6.0 mcg/L
Reference values apply to all ages.
Clinical References: 1. Moreno ME, Acosta-Saavedra LC, Meza-Figueroa D, et al: Biomonitoring
of metal in children living in a mine tailings zone in Southern Mexico: A pilot study. Int J Hyg Environ
Hlth 2010;213:252-258 2. Schulz C, Angerer J, Ewers U, et al: Revised and new reference values for
environmental pollutants in urine or blood of children in Germany derived from the German
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