Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

HEXAAMMINENICKEL(II) CHLORIDE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Reagent.

SYNONYMS

H18-Cl2-N6-Ni, [Ni(NH3)6]Cl2, "hexammino-nickel chloride"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Although ingestion is not thought to produce harmful effects, the material may still be damaging to the health of the individual following ingestion, especially where pre-  existing organ (e.g. liver, kidney) damage is evident. Present definitions of harmful or toxic substances are generally based on doses producing mortality (death) rather than those producing morbidity (disease, ill-health). Gastrointestinal tract discomfort may produce nausea and vomiting. In an occupational setting however, ingestion of insignificant quantities is not thought to be cause for concern.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  Nickel salts cause vomiting, following ingestion as a result of the irritant effects. Absorption is generally poor and systemic poisoning is rare. Systemic effects include increased blood sugar levels, capillary damage, kidney damage, heart damage and central nervous system depression.  Nickel is not well absorbed orally. Excretion in the urine is complete after about 4-5 days. If injected, nickel is rapidly distributed to various organs.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may produce transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn).  

SKIN

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or skin irritation following contact (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting.  Persons with impaired respiratory function, airway diseases and conditions such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, may incur further disability if excessive concentrations of particulate are inhaled.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by skin contact/absorption and inhalation of generated dust.  Nickel causes a skin sensitization which may produce a chronic eczema. At first an itch appears followed one week later by a red skin eruption with ulcers which discharge and become crusted. In the chronic stages, pigmented or depigmented plaques may be formed. Recovery from the skin inflammation may take weeks. Nickel dusts and some of its compounds may cause cancer; nickel workers show an increased risk of developing cancers of the lung and nasal cavity.