Tentative reference values for nickel concentrations in human serum, plasma, blood, and urine: evaluation according to the TRACY protocol.

Published reports of Ni concentrations in human serum or plasma, whole blood, and urine have been reviewed in order to establish a database of reference values. In keeping with the TRACY program as previously applied to Hg, reports were evaluated in the categories of description of sample population, specimen collection and processing, analytical methods, and data presentation. Based on these considerations, eight studies of Ni in serum were deemed suitable for establishing reference levels in the general population. In five of these studies, the mean values for serum Ni concentration were < 0.3 microgram/l and the upper limits were < or = 1.1 micrograms/l. Six studies of Ni in urine were found suitable, and in four of these the mean values of Ni were < or = 2.0 micrograms/l and the upper limits were < or = 6.0 micrograms/l. Fewer studies on Ni in whole blood have been reported, and the Ni content of blood remains uncertain.