Nickel effect on the human body. Nickel poisoning and its side effects

Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry at Voronezh State University Viktor Semenov frankly told everything he knows about nickel

"Notebook Voronezh" has an audio recording of a closed meeting of the public council "on nickel", which took place on October 3 in the small hall of the Voronezh Regional Duma. One of the items on the agenda was the report of Doctor of Chemical Sciences, Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry of Voronezh State University, Head of the Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry Viktor Semenov. We publish a transcript of his speech (with abbreviations):

A little about nickel. Nickel is one of the extremely important metals, it has a long history and attractive prospects for further use. Nickel has been known as a chemical element for a little over 200 years, but its practical use in the form of various alloys goes back to ancient times. In the development of human culture, especially the peoples of Transcaucasia, Central Asia, China, India and Egypt, examples of the use of nickel-containing alloys are known more than 3000 years BC.

Nickel is a construction material. To improve the corrosion protection of iron, chromium and nickel are added to steel. Chromium, by the way, is a more problematic element in terms of ecology compared to nickel. But such steel is resistant even in sea water and in many aggressive chemical environments.

Nickel does not oxidize in atmospheric conditions at room temperature, it is stable in various chemically active environments - in alkalis, etc., and does not oxidize when heated to 700-800 degrees. It is subjected to all types of mechanical processing - forging, rolling, stamping, and welds well. Due to the complex of these properties, nickel is particularly widely used in the form of various alloys.

In general, the scope of application of nickel is enormous. As a chemist, I will say that it is used in the production of catalysts for various chemical processes. Due to its corrosion resistance, nickel is also used as protective coatings (for example, the well-known nickel plating of coins), parts of chemical and electric vacuum equipment are made from it, and it is actively used in medicine.

Considering the periodic table of elements, we can note elements that pose a danger. These are heavy and radioactive metals, halogens, thallium, boron, mercury, selenium and a number of others. Nickel is not one of these elements.

There are a number of analogies in the periodic table: group, standard, electronic, diagonal, horizontal and a number of others. These analogies are characterized by the great similarity of the properties of the elements. In iron, cobalt and nickel there is a horizontal analogy. These are metals of the same group; they are almost twins in their properties. At the same time, for some reason we consider iron absolutely safe, but some people express concerns about nickel.

The human body can be harmed by soluble salts and volatile components. Nickel salts are inorganic compounds; they are low-volatile, and most of the nickel salts and minerals are completely insoluble.

All minerals of the Novokhopersk deposit are represented by a large number of chemical compounds: FeS, CuFeS2, ZnS, PbS, MoS2, FeS2, FeAsS, CoAsS, NiAsS, NiAs and a number of others. All of the listed compounds themselves are practically non-volatile and insoluble in water, and for this reason cannot enter our body.

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More than one discovery in the field of chemistry is associated with the Saxon miners: thanks to them, cobalt was once discovered - the metal was named after a gnome, and in the same area, only a little later, there lived another gnome, not so evil, but also who loved to create all sorts of tricks for workers . Miners were looking for copper, and found something similar to copper ore, but copper was not produced from it, so the workers called this mineral “devil’s copper,” and the metal obtained from it was later called nickel, after the name of the gnome Nick - this is one of the versions.

Nickel was obtained by the Swedish scientist A.F. Kronstedt in the middle of the 18th century, but there is another version of the origin of its name - from the German word “kupiernickel”, which means “devil's copper” in translation, although there is nothing devilish in this shiny, silver-white and ductile metal. Scientists of that time considered nickel an alloy, and argued until the beginning of the 19th century, until it was isolated in its pure form, without any impurities.

In fact, some scientists believe that people learned about the properties of nickel long before it was found in the earth's crust - although then they did not know what it was called. Many meteorites that people have found since ancient times contain durable and almost stainless iron - weapons and talismanic jewelry were previously made from it.

Nickel is very little susceptible to corrosion; It does not react with alkalis, but dissolves in acids. Today it is mined from iron-nickel pyrite, called pentlandite - named after the Englishman D. Pentland who found it in the 19th century, and from another ore - garnierite, a nickel silicate with a complex and variable composition, also named after the geologist who discovered it - the Frenchman J. Garnier .

Nickel is used in various branches of industry, science and technology: it is included in alloys for making coins, and in many countries - for example, in the USA, a five-cent coin is colloquially called “nickel”; various coatings - we all know nickel-plated dishes and kitchen utensils; musical instruments; Alloys with nickel are used to make sewing needles and rivets for fashionable clothing; in medicine, implants made from this metal are often used; Nickel is included in cosmetics and household chemicals.

Based on nickel, scientists have created an amazing material that cannot be deformed - it very quickly returns to its original shape, so it is used in a variety of fields - for example, making durable frames for glasses.

Nickel is used in electrical engineering and shipbuilding, in the construction of chemical instruments and alkaline batteries - some famous scientists of the 20th century even said that nickel occupies one of the main places in metal technology.

Nickel is an essential nutrient for humans and animals, but scientists know little about its biological role. In animal and plant organisms it participates in enzymatic reactions, and in birds it accumulates in feathers. In our country it is found in the liver and kidneys, pancreas, pituitary gland and lungs.

Nickel in products

The main route of entry of nickel into the body is through food. There is a lot of it in cocoa and tea, chocolate, milk and dairy products, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, buckwheat, oatmeal, fish, seafood, meat, offal, eggs, mushrooms, apricots, currants, cherries, onions and dill, sorrel , lettuce, carrots and some other vegetables. Nickel also enters the body with water - up to ¼ of the total amount. There is especially a lot of nickel in hard tap water - there is more of it in the morning, because at night the water stagnates in the pipes.

A person receives up to 0.6 mg of nickel per day; the required standards have not been determined, but scientists believe that 100 to 300 mcg is enough for a person.

The importance of nickel for the body

The most nickel is found in the parathyroid and pancreas, and the pituitary gland - organs that are largely responsible for metabolic processes in the body: they synthesize hormones, vitamins and other substances needed by the body. As already said, the biological significance of this element has not been fully elucidated, but many observations show that nickel affects human health and well-being.

So, if nickel is administered after insulin administration, its effect is prolonged. Nickel takes part in many biochemical processes in the body, reduces blood pressure, slows down the action of adrenaline, etc.

Nickel also has a beneficial effect on hematopoietic processes; preserves the structure of nucleic acids and cell membranes; participates in the metabolism of vitamins C and B12, calcium and other substances.

Nickel deficiency

If little nickel enters the body, then the blood sugar level may rise slightly, but the hemoglobin level decreases; Children's growth slows down. However, nickel deficiency, and especially its deficiency, are very rare, so you should not prescribe nickel preparations to yourself - this is dangerous. When nickel enters the body through food, it is non-toxic, but drugs are a different matter: this can cause the development of tumors and mutations at the cellular level.

Excess Nickel

Excess nickel is much more common, but it is usually associated with industrial and household reasons. Nickel chloride and sulfate are especially toxic, since they are soluble in water - insoluble compounds are tens of times safer.

During the processing of metals, carbonyl nickel and nickel dust are formed - when they enter the body, these substances accumulate in it and have a destructive effect on it. In everyday life, although in small quantities, you can get excess nickel from using low-quality dishes, cheap jewelry, and dentures; There is nickel in tobacco too.

High-quality nickel-plated cookware is not dangerous, and today everyone uses it, but about 100 years ago only rich people could eat from it - even emperors considered it luxurious and exotic.

If you constantly come into contact with nickel at work - with its dust, vapors and compounds, and at the same time receive quite a lot of it from food, then a disease such as contact dermatitis - acute inflammation of the skin, arthritis or asthma - can develop. When there is an excess of nickel in tissues, the cell structure suffers and begins to collapse, the activity of enzymes and hormones slows down, and cellular immunity weakens.

Other symptoms of excess nickel are also observed: vitiligo, keratitis, corneal ulceration, diseases of the thyroid gland and reproductive organs, disturbances in the metabolism of nitrogen and carbohydrates, digestive problems, disturbances in the functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular system, dystrophy of the kidneys and liver, deterioration of blood composition.

Many enterprises in the metallurgical industry use nickel and its compounds - if you work at such an enterprise for a long time, diseases of the lungs and upper respiratory tract develop, the breathing process and the balance of many microelements are disrupted. Nickel chloride with prolonged exposure to the body causes impaired coordination of movements - this condition is called ataxia.

Nickel poisoning, acute or chronic, can be dangerous not only to health, but also to life. Treatment usually helps, and you should also limit the intake of nickel into the body, even with foods - it is better to temporarily exclude foods rich in it from the diet, but fatal cases of nickel poisoning are also known - if safety precautions are not followed at work. Sometimes it is enough to inhale nickel compounds for about 1.5 hours to get fatal poisoning, so you should not joke with this element when working. Nickel carbonyl compounds, often used in industrial production, are classified by chemists as hazard class I - they are not just highly dangerous, but extremely dangerous substances.

In addition to the described manifestations, with an excess of nickel in the body, anemia and tachycardia, edema of the brain and lungs, and allergic reactions occur; the likelihood of developing benign and malignant neoplasms of the skin, kidneys or lungs increases; the excitability of the nervous system increases; The overall immunity of the body decreases.

Orange juice, milk, coffee and tea reduce the absorption of nickel in the body.

It turns out that there is a lot of nickel in the world, and our country ranks first in its production; A lot of it is mined in Canada, Australia, Cuba, Indonesia and Melanesia. Scientists suggest that our planet contains about 3% nickel in its core - these are huge reserves.

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Nickel is a trace element. It is no secret that minerals occupy an important place among vital substances for humans. The role of many macro- and microelements is so important for us that scientists have called them essential. This means that their reserves in human tissues, organs, and fluids must necessarily be constantly replenished in the required quantities from the external environment. We get them from food and water. To such essential minerals also applies trace element nickel, about the history of whose discovery, properties, harm and health benefits people and will be discussed in this article.

Nickel in optimal natural form and dosage is found in beekeeping products - such as pollen, royal jelly and drone brood, which are part of many natural vitamin and mineral complexes of the Parapharm company: Leveton P, Elton P, Leveton Forte ", "Apitonus P", "Osteomed", "Osteo-Vit", "Eromax", "Memo-Vit" and "Cardioton". That is why we pay so much attention to each natural substance, talking about its importance and benefits for the health of the body.

From the history of nickel

Nickel history shrouded in Saxon legends and myths. German miners often found a mineral that resembled copper ore, but no matter how hard they tried, they could not smelt copper from it. That’s why they dubbed it “kupfernickel”, that is, “ copper devil" or " devil's copper“, because they were convinced that the ill-fated ore was being thrown to them by the mischievous mountain spirit, the gnome Nick. Nickel means "evil gnome/spirit" in German, and in mining jargon it was a curse word. However, there was nothing diabolical about the mysterious mineral, and in glass production it was used to give glass a green tint. In fact, kupfernickel was a combination of nickel and arsenic, but for a long time it was not possible to unravel its true nature. In 1751, the Swedish scientist Kronstedt received from " devil's copper» a new chemical element - a metal, which, following the Saxon tradition, was called nickel (lat. Niccolum, Ni).

However, German miners were by no means the first to encounter nickel. Since ancient times, people have found inclusions of durable, beautiful and ductile metal in meteorites and made weapons and talismans from it. Thus, about 30% nickel is present in the jewelry of the ancient Egyptians. And the Chinese, even before our era, included this mineral in an alloy called pakfong, later brought to Europe, where money was minted from it.

But, of course, talking about large-scale nickel industry possible only from the end of the 11th century.

Properties and application
nickel

Co properties and uses of nickel we encounter every day, even if we don’t suspect it, because this mineral has firmly entered various spheres of life of modern man.

This one is beautiful light silver metal, a little similar to silver or platinum, is distinguished by its ductility and malleability, low chemical activity - those qualities that make it attractive in various industries. Cast Nickel almost as strong as mild steel. Low reactivity prevents it from deteriorating under the influence of air, water, vapors, and many acids; in a word, it makes it resistant to corrosion. And the plasticity and viscosity of this metal in its pure form makes it possible to produce the thinnest sheets and wire from it. Also important in industry is its ability to be mixed with different metals into numerous alloys.

In our everyday life we ​​often deal with nickel-plated things– dishes, railings, pipes, taps, furniture parts. Also constantly present in our everyday life are objects made from alloys containing nickel and nickel itself: money, sewing needles and accessories, glasses, jewelry, guitar strings... In medical equipment Nickel alloys are used for the manufacture of dentures and brace systems. When we see stainless steel, we again encounter nickel, which is certainly present in it. Electrical engineering and shipbuilding, the chemical industry and the defense industry, mechanical engineering, the nuclear and oil and gas industries cannot do without nickel.

Nickel
in the human body

Meaning nickel in the human body has not yet been fully studied, but the discovered facts were enough for scientists to recognize it essential substance for health. Highest nickel content in our pancreas and parathyroid glands, pituitary gland, liver and kidneys, muscles and lungs. And although its concentration in tissues and organs is extremely low (in our body on average there is about 10 mg, but fluctuations from 2 to 14 mg are possible), it necessary for normal growth and development, the birth of viable offspring. This was proven by experiments on animals from whose diet nickel was excluded.

The fact is that this trace element is an active participant in mineral metabolism. Enzymatic processes depend on it - the decomposition and formation of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, hormones, vitamins and other compounds. So, nickel influence on the oxidation and absorption of ascorbic acid, allowing for better absorption of calcium.

Nickel accelerates iron metabolism and hemoglobin production and, accordingly, has a beneficial effect on the formation of red blood cells and the supply of oxygen to tissues. It improves the absorption of copper and vitamin B 12, also necessary for hematopoiesis. That is why, in case of significant blood loss, it is administered subcutaneously to urgently increase the number of red blood cells.

The relationship between nickel and insulin and glucose is interesting: thanks to it, insulin is more actively produced in the pancreas, and thus the blood sugar level is reduced. Introduction of zinc into the body of diabetics helps to prolong the activity of the resulting insulin. Sufficient nickel content in the pancreas significantly reduces the risk of developing cancer of this organ.

Positive influence of nickel on the male genital area is associated with its involvement in the formation of sperm.

In addition, this mineral helps reduce blood pressure and the activity of adrenaline, excess emissions of which are dangerous to health. By enhancing the antidiuretic activity of the pituitary gland,nickel helps kidneys Research has confirmedthe role of nickel in the functioning of nucleic acids DNA and RNA, that is, it is involved in the transmission of hereditary information. This microelement also ensures the preservation of the structural integrity of cell membranes.

So, nickel is important for the body as a participant in general metabolism, hematopoiesis, hormonal and redox processes, affects the immunity, health and well-being of a person as a whole.

What is the daily allowancenickel standard ?

Speaking of per diem nickel standard per day, let us immediately emphasize that artificially synthesized compounds of this microelement are toxic for humans and can cause cancer, so this is exclusively O nickel contained in products food or isolated from them. Scientists believe that in A day is enough to consume from 0.1 to 0.3 mg of this mineral.

Why are they dangerous?
lack andexcess nickel in the body?

Nickel deficiency rarely noted. Laboratory experiments on animals show that its deficiency leads to hypopigmentation of the skin, increased sugar levels, decreased cholesterol and red blood cells in the blood, anemia, liver disease, decreased motor activity, slowed growth and development, death of offspring, and early death.

However, much more often doctors have to deal with excess nickel in the human body and its detrimental effects on health, so get carried away nickel-containing and There is no need for pharmacological drugs. A dose of 40–50 mg is considered toxic to humans. Oversaturation of tissues and organs with this microelement is fraught with serious disorders:

• metabolic disorders;
• structural changes in chromosomes and other cellular elements;
• disruption of enzymatic and hormonal processes;
• anemia, deterioration of hematopoiesis;
• weakening of the immune system;
• nervous excitability and susceptibility to stress;
• pigmentation disorder – vitiligo;
• tumor development;
• asthma;
• swelling of the brain and lungs;
• sexual function disorder;
• dermatitis and eczema;
• kidney and liver damage, etc.

Particularly dangerous is constant exposure (and even more so acute poisoning if safety precautions are not followed) to nickel and its compounds in production. But also the use of low-quality nickel plated items everyday life can also cause allergies. The same applies to jewelry made from this light metal. Piercing lovers should be especially careful when choosing accessories, because their contact with metal is much more intense than everyone else's. Excessive exposure to nickel smokers who inhale increased amounts of this microelement along with tobacco smoke expose themselves.

Nickel in additives
and vitamin-mineral complexes for athletes

In connection with the serious consequences of an overabundance of the mineral we are considering, the question may arise: why add nickel additives And vitamin-mineral complexes for athletes? Let's not forget that high physical activity significantly enhances all metabolic processes and, accordingly, the need for substances necessary for the body. In addition, a selective concentration of nickel was found in the substantia nigra of the brain, the area responsible for regulation of motor functions and muscle tone. It is also important for athletes that this microelement helps in muscle building. However, for this property to manifest itself, the human body must contain a normal amount of vitamin B12.

Nickel content
in products nutrition

A balanced diet provides a person with all the necessary vitamins and minerals, and nickel is no exception. Therefore, it will be useful to know what nickel content in products nutrition.

Rich in nickel cereals and legumes (0.089–1.09 mg/kg) and liver (0.125–0.5 mg/kg). In vegetables and fruits (cabbage, potatoes, carrots, onions, cherries, apricots, etc.) its average content ranges from 0.1 to 2.0 mg/kg; in meat – 0.02–0.1, and in eggs – 0.02–0.03 mg/kg. This trace element is also found in yeast, nuts, mushrooms, fish and seafood, milk, parsley and dill, pumpkin seeds, cocoa and many other products. We get about a quarter of the nickel we need from water.

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Nickel is an important nutritional element necessary for normal human life. Let's consider what role it plays in our lives, what products it contains, and how a deficiency or excess of this substance can result in health.

Description and characteristics

The significance of this element in nature is still not fully understood. Although, scientists say that it is part of many plants and is responsible for the fermentation process. In the human body, this element is deposited in organs such as the liver, kidneys, lungs, and pancreas.

In general, the adult body contains from 5 to 14 ml of this substance. And in the lungs its concentration increases with age. The microelement leaves the body in 95% of cases with feces. Some products (coffee, tea) can reduce the absorption of nickel, while others, on the contrary, improve it. It has been observed that in pregnant women the level of absorption of this substance increases.

Did you know? Nickel was invented in the 18th century by a scientist from Sweden A. Kronstedt, and according to another version the word comes from the German expression “kupiernickel", which translates as "devil's copper."

Functions and role in the body

Despite the fact that all the properties of nickel have not yet been fully discovered, it already plays an important role in human life. The useful characteristics of this element include the following:

• participation in the processes of blood formation, accelerating the appearance of new red blood cells, increasing hemoglobin;
• participation in the work of DNA;
• oxygen supply to brain cells and tissues;
• strengthening the work of the pituitary gland;
• activation of certain enzymes;
• improvement of fat metabolism;
• oxidation of vitamin C;
• decrease in pressure.

What Nickel Contains: Source Products

Nickel, like all other nutrients, is obtained from food. It is found in both plant products and animals.

Important! With ordinary water, a person receives a quarter of the total supply of this element.

Vegetable

You can replenish your nickel reserves with the following products of plant origin:

• peas;
• beans;
• corn;
• cocoa;
• oatmeal;
• sorrel;
• cherry;
• apricot;
• apple;
• black currant.

Animals

Nickel reserves can be found in the following animal products:

• any meat (pork, beef, veal);
• seafood, fish, caviar;
• dairy products (milk, cottage cheese, sour cream);
• eggs.

Daily requirement and norms

The required daily intake of nickel for humans has not been established. According to preliminary estimates, a person can receive up to 0.6 mg of this element per day. The daily requirement is selected individually and depends on parameters such as age, weight and gender. The approximate amount of a substance that is sufficient for normal life is from 100 to 300 mcg.

Important! When less than 50 mcg of a microelement per day enters the body, a deficiency occurs.

Deficiency and excess: causes and symptoms

A shortage or excess of nickel is quite rare, since the need for it is satisfied by nutrition. If such cases occur, they are characterized by certain symptoms.

Shortage

Deficiency of the substance occurs when the norm is below 50 mcg daily. To date, only one sign of nickel deficiency in humans has been identified - dermatitis. Clinical studies on animals have shown that a lack of this microelement slows growth, reduces glucose, and impairs metabolism. In people, some signs may also indirectly indicate a deficiency of this substance:

• high sugar;
• decreased hemoglobin;
• growth retardation in children.

Excess

An overdose of nickel is even less common than a deficiency. And it can only manifest itself as a result of consuming a large amount of toxic foods. An excess of the element is characterized by the following symptoms:

• rapid heartbeat;
• iron deficiency;
• decreased body resistance to infections;
• problems with mucous membranes in the respiratory tract;
• increased excitability;
• pulmonary edema;
• cancer diseases;
• lack of magnesium in the blood.

Did you know? It has been proven that if nickel is introduced into the blood after insulin, the effect of the former is prolonged. With adrenaline, the opposite happens: the trace element slows down its activity.

Interaction with other substances

In most cases, nickel is absorbed by the body without problems. However, there are some trace elements that reduce its effect. These include:

• sulfur-based amino acids;
• sulfur;
• selenium;
• zinc;
• vitamin C.

Accordingly, foods rich in such substances prevent the full absorption of nickel. Knowing what beneficial properties nickel has and what products it is contained in, you can regulate its intake into your body and not be afraid of the consequences that a deficiency or excess of this element can lead to.