Nickel - Measuring methods for workplace monitoring

Nickel and many of its compounds, when being inhaled, do not have the same carcinogenic potential. The measuring methods (atomic absorption spectromet ry, X-ray fluorescent analysis, ICP mass spectrometry) used to determine th e content of nickel in dusts do not allow for a distinction between differe nt nickel compounds or at least oxidation numbers. Nevertheless, these meth ods are suitable for workplace monitoring to check compliance with the appl ying limit values, because the quantity of nickel thus determined generally goes beyond what is covered by the limit value. The article describes and compares the legal requirements and the analytical methods.