Exposure
- Nickel Refining
- Metal Recycling/Reclamation
- Use of Nickel Carbonyl as Catalyst or Intermediate
Physiology
- High-Intensity Inhalation of Nickel Carbonyl Fumes: exposure is common since nickel carbonyl fume is not acutely irritating
- Usually associated with poor ventilation
- Inhibition of enzymatic and pneumocyte functions
- Note: inorganic nickel, by itself, is a sensitizer, but is not associated with pneumonitis
Clinical Presentations
(onset of symptoms usually 12-24 hrs after exposure)
- Acute Pneumonitis (see Pneumonia, [[Pneumonia]])
- Fever (see Fever, [[Fever]])
- May occur
- Not considered a type of metal fume fever
- Pulmonary Infiltrates with Eosinophilia (see [[Pulmonary Infiltrates with Eosinophilia]])
- Acute Lung Injury-ARDS (see Acute Lung Injury-ARDS, [[Acute Lung Injury-ARDS]])
Treatment
- Dithiocarb (Diethyldithiocarbamate): use as a chelating agent is supported by animal studies in nickel carbonyl fume inhalation
- Disulfiram: weaker support for its use in nickel carbonyl fume inhalation
References
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