Nickel metal (CAS 7440-02-0): storage and disposal
Nickel powder and foil are kept in school, college and university stores, usually in small jars at the back of the metals shelf. The classification carries a skin sensitiser warning, a suspected carcinogen warning and a warning of organ damage from repeated exposure. That puts it with locked toxic stock rather than on the open metals shelf, and it makes the condition of the jar and label a priority.
- CAS number
- 7440-02-0
- Form
- Solid
- Storage class
- Toxic
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code
- 16 05 06*
Harmful or irritant
Serious health hazard
What to do this week
- Check the label is readable and write down the opened date if it is not already there.
- Check it is stored as toxic stock and apart from the items listed under "Do not store with".
- If you no longer need it, add it to your disposal list so it goes on the next collection.
Safe storage in a school or lab
Open metals shelves in school prep rooms tend to collect nickel beside copper and zinc, which is the wrong place for it. It is classified as an allergic skin sensitiser, a suspected carcinogen and a cause of organ damage after prolonged or repeated exposure, so it belongs in a locked cabinet with a stock record, well away from food and drink areas. Keep nickel metal apart from incompatible acids and oxidising agents. Acids can attack nickel metal under suitable conditions, while oxidisers may introduce additional reaction hazards. Hydrogen peroxide, sodium azide and the picric acid family, including Bouin's fluid and ammonium picrate, should not share the cupboard either.
How to tell it has deteriorated
Check the label and the cap first: faded print, a stained cap or a lost stock record matter more than anything about the metal. Nickel keeps its appearance well, so powder and foil may show only a slight dulling over long storage. A film of grey dust around the neck of a powder jar means the container has been opened carelessly or the seal has failed. Because the sensitiser warning covers skin contact, a dusty jar exterior is worth recording. Powder that has clumped or changed colour may have been contaminated or mislabelled, and should be recorded as unidentified rather than assumed to be clean metal.
How it must be disposed of
By specialist collection only. It never goes down the drain or into general waste. It is normally packed in a toxic laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.
Record the form, the approximate amount, the state of the jar and whether the label still identifies it as nickel metal. The waste is entered as 16 05 06*, a hazardous code that reflects the sensitiser, suspected cancer and organ damage classification and the harm to aquatic life. Collection is by a specialist waste carrier only. Powder is not to be washed down a sink or drain, tipped into the bin or swept into a skip, and nobody should try to react it away. It is packed in a compatible group away from acids, oxidisers, hydrogen peroxide and sodium azide.
| EWC code, laboratory chemicals | 16 05 06* |
|---|---|
| Discarded inorganic chemical, not a laboratory pack | 16 05 07* |
| Hazardous waste | Yes |
The code depends on where the waste came from and what it is mixed with. Use the waste code finder to see why.
Do not store with
- OxidiserToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- AcidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
Named chemicals to keep apart
- Acetic acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Ammonium picratePicric acid forms shock sensitive metal picrates with metals.
- Calcium hypochloriteToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Hydrochloric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Hydrogen peroxideMetals speed the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide, releasing oxygen and pressure.
- Nitric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Picric acidPicric acid forms shock sensitive metal picrates with metals.
- Potassium nitrateToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
Show 3 more
- Potassium permanganateToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Sodium azideAzides form shock sensitive metal azides with lead, copper, brass and similar metals.
- Sulfuric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
Common quantities we collect
Usually held as: powder, foil.
Part-used bottles and full containers are both fine. Tell us the size and how many, and an estimate is enough for a first price.
Where it is commonly held
Hazard statements
- H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.
- H351 Suspected of causing cancer.
- H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
- H412 Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Precautionary statements
- P203 Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
- P260 Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P261 Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P264 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
- P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- P272 Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
- P318 If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
- P319 Get medical help if you feel unwell.
- P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P333+P317 If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical help.
- P362+P364 Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
- P405 Store locked up.
- P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, national and international regulations.
- P233 Keep container tightly closed.
- P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- P273 Avoid release to the environment.
- P284 In case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection.
- P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P342+P316 If experiencing respiratory symptoms: Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P403 Store in a well-ventilated place.
Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.
Questions
Why is nickel kept in the toxic cabinet when it is only a metal?
Its classification includes an allergic skin reaction, suspected cancer and organ damage from prolonged or repeated exposure, so it counts as toxic stock. That means a locked cabinet, a stock record and separation from acids and oxidising materials, even if the foil looks like any other metal.
Is nickel powder more of a concern than foil?
The classification applies to the substance whatever the form, so foil is not exempt. Powder is simply easier to spread on hands, benches and jar necks, which matters for a skin sensitiser. Record which form you hold when asking for a collection and keep both labelled and closed.
How can we tell whether an old jar still holds nickel metal?
Rely on the label and the stock record. Nickel gives few visual signs, so appearance alone will not identify it. A jar without a legible label, or one that has clumped or changed colour, should be recorded as unidentified and kept closed until a specialist can assess it.
