Nickel, Urine (Occupational)

Diagnostic Use

Nickel occurs naturally in the Earth’s crust. It is not an essential element but can be present in air, water, food, and cigarette smoke. Nickel is absorbed via inhalation, ingestion, and to a lesser extent dermal contact. It is primarily excreted via the urinary tract therefore urinary nickel is used as an index of exposure.

Acute exposure to nickel carbonyl via inhalation can cause respiratory irritation and neurological symptoms. Nickel compounds are classified as carcinogenic to humans.

Occupational exposure to nickel occurs in various workplaces including mining, smelting, electroplating, and steel and other nickel alloy production.

Department

Lipids/Trace Metals

Delphic Registration Code

UNI

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

Recommended sampling time is POST SHIFT - the last 2 hours to immediately following the end of the working day.

Registration

Send to separating if ambient. Send to trace metals if frozen.

Separating

Aliquot to Core laboratory for UCRN

Test Adds

Ambient 14 days, refrigerated (preferred) 28 days, frozen 28 days

Turnaround Time

14 days

Test Code

4277