Does airborne nickel exposure induce nickel sensitization?
OBJECTIVE
Nickel is one of the most prevalent causes of contact allergy in the general population. This study focuses on human exposure to airborne nickel and its potential to induce allergic sensitization.


METHODS
The study group consisted of 309 children at school-starter age living in the West of Germany in the vicinity of two industrial sources and in a rural town without nearby point sources of nickel. An exposure assessment of nickel in ambient air was available for children in the Ruhr district using routinely monitored ambient air quality data and dispersion modelling. Internal nickel exposure was assessed by nickel concentrations in morning urine samples of the children.


RESULTS
The observed nickel sensitization prevalence rates varied between 12.6% and 30.7%. Statistically significant associations were showed between exposure to nickel in ambient air and urinary nickel concentration as well as between urinary nickel concentration and nickel sensitization. Furthermore, an elevated prevalence of nickel sensitization was associated with exposure to increased nickel concentrations in ambient air.


CONCLUSIONS
The observed associations support the assumption that inhaled nickel in ambient air might be a risk factor for nickel sensitization; further studies in larger collectives are necessary.
Mann
Eugen
E
Institut für Umweltmedizinische Forschung (IUF) an der Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Ranft
Ulrich
U
Eberwein
Georg
G
Gladtke
Dieter
D
Sugiri
Dorothee
D
Behrendt
Heidrun
H
Ring
Johannes
J
Schäfer
Torsten
T
Begerow
Jutta
J
Wittsiepe
Jürgen
J
Krämer
Ursula
U
Wilhelm
Michael
M
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity* / Q000652:urine; D000397:Air Pollution; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009532:Nickel / Q000633:toxicity* / Q000652:urine; D012307:Risk Factors; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis
D000393:Air Pollutants; D014867:Water; D009532:Nickel