Nickel Dust Collection
Reducing the Risk of Nickel Dust Exposure
Nickel is widely used in manufacturing and appears in many common products. The silvery metal is a key component of many alloys, including stainless steel. Its resistance to corrosion makes it an ideal addition to alloys, as well as a plating substance. Nickel is also used in many batteries. In 2015, 148,000 tons of nickel were consumed as primary metal in the United States, and almost 102,000 tons were recovered from scrap. That is a lot of nickel changing hands and being worked with. Hopefully it was done safely, since researchers have determined that exposure to nickel carries risks for workers.