Identification and evaluation of nickel intake sources.

The level of nickel in a full-day diet, drinking water and complementary liquids was measured in groups of persons occupationally and environmentally exposed to this element. Both adults and children (in preschool and school age) living in industrial and recreation areas were considered. Concentrations of nickel in the occupational and ambient air were also taken into account. Measurement data were used for calculating the intake and uptake of nickel in the investigated groups. It was found that contaminated air at workplaces under occupational exposure, and food under environmental exposure were the main sources of the nickel intake.