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Health Risks for Nickel Acetate

2006

We send parts out for anodizing, and when we received them there was a right powdery substance inside the parts. (They have a .070" hole through the part). Some of the parts were even clogged with this substance.

I was given a tour at our supplier and he thought it could be either dried sealant (nickel acetate) or caustic soda ⇦liquid caustic soda in bulk on Amazon [affil link] . I am not an expert (not even close) on this process, and one of the concerns was the health risks associated with this white powder. Our parts will be used in a critical manner, so I am looking for any health risks associated to this white powder.

There is not very much substance, but any information would help ease some concerns.

Thank you

Casey Zielsdorff
implant manufacturer - Hillsboro, OR, USA

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2006

You can sunbathe on a beach all day every day without concern, but you had better not do sandblasting without protection or you risk silicosis from the very same substance. Similarly, even if you positively identified this substance and had an MSDS for the original product, it might tell you little about the dangers of it in the form you are seeing. And if we don't know for sure what the substance was, there is even less point in investigating the health effects of other substances, Casey.

I think the real issue is that these parts should not have had any white powder on them, be it nickel acetate, caustic soda ⇦liquid caustic soda in bulk on Amazon [affil link] , or baking flour. In my opinion they should not have been shipped that way, QA should not have accepted them that way; and although I don't have the facts to be able to say for sure, perhaps they should be rejected right now. Good luck with the situation.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

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2006

Sir:
Some forms of nickel causes cancer.
Regards,

Dr. Thomas H. Cook
Galvanizing Consultant - Hot Springs, South Dakota, USA