EFSA — Nickel Tolerable Daily Intake (13 µg/kg b.w./day)
The EFSA CONTAM Panel established a tolerable daily intake for nickel of 13 µg Ni/kg body weight per day in its September 2020 update of the risk assessment of nickel in food and drinking water, anchored on a BMDL10 of 1.3 mg Ni/kg b.w./day for increased post-implantation loss in rats (EFSA Ni 2020). For acute oral nickel exposure, the Panel identified eczematous flare-up reactions in nickel-sensitized humans (systemic contact dermatitis) as the critical effect, with a margin-of-exposure approach using a LOAEL of 4.3 µg Ni/kg b.w. and an MOE threshold of 30 for low health concern (EFSA Ni 2020).
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| TDI (chronic) | 13 µg Ni/kg b.w./day |
| Chronic critical endpoint | Increased post-implantation loss in rats |
| Chronic BMDL10 reference point | 1.3 mg Ni/kg b.w./day |
| Acute critical endpoint | Eczematous flare-up (systemic contact dermatitis) in Ni-sensitized humans |
| Acute LOAEL | 4.3 µg Ni/kg b.w. |
| Acute MOE threshold | ≥ 30 for low concern |
Sources
- EFSA Ni 2020 — EFSA CONTAM Panel, 2020. Update of the Risk Assessment of Nickel in Food and Drinking Water.