A review of the carcinogenicities of nickel,chromium and arsenic compounds in man and animals

Increased incidences of cancers of the respiratory tract have been reported among (a) workers in nickel refineries; (b) industrial workers who have been engaged in production of chromates or in processing of chrome pigments; and (c) workers who have had diverse occupational exposures to arsenic compounds (metallurgical, chemical and agricultural workers). Human subjects who have developed clinical manifestations of arsenicalism as a result of environmental, occupational or iatrogenic exposures have been reported to have increased incidences of cancers of the skin and possibly of internal organs. Certain nickel and chromium compounds (e.g., nickel subsulfide and calcium chromate) that have been administered to rodents by parenteral or respiratory routes have induced cancers at the sites of deposition. Experimental induction of cancers in animals has not been reported as a consequence of administration of arsenic compounds.