The average concentration of nickel in drinking water is about 2 ppb. However, you may be exposed to higher than average levels of nickel in drinking water if you live near industries that process or use nickel. High concentrations of nickel occur because dust released from stacks during processing settles out of the air. You may be exposed to nickel in soil by skin contact. Children may also be exposed to nickel by eating soil.
Food contains nickel and is the major source of nickel exposure for the general population.
Foods naturally high in nickel include chocolate, soy beans, nuts, and oatmeal. Our daily intake of nickel from drinking water is only about 2 ug. We are exposed to nickel when we handle coins and touch other metals containing nickel. You may be exposed to higher than background levels of nickel if you work in industries that process or use nickel. A national survey conducted from 1980 to 1983 estimated that 727,240 workers are potentially exposed to nickel metal, nickel alloys, or nickel compounds.