Nickel and lung cancer

Nickel (Ni) belongs to the transition metals group and is distinguished by its silvery-white sheen, excellent ductility, and resistance to corrosion. Ni is widely employed in a variety of industrial applications, including alloy fabrication (such as stainless steel), electroplating, battery manufacturing, and catalysts. It has long been known that Ni, a metal that is present in many consumer goods and industrial processes, may cause cancer, especially lung cancer. Occupational exposure to Ni compounds, as occurs in Ni refining, welding, and alloy manufacture, is associated with an elevated risk of lung cancer, according to epidemiological research. Additionally, experimental studies have shown that Ni compounds cause cancer via genotoxicity, oxidative stress, and cellular signaling pathway disruption, among other mechanisms. There has been progress in regulating Ni exposure in the workplace, but there is still a long way to go before we can eliminate environmental Ni contamination and provide sufficient protection for those most vulnerable. To further understand the molecular processes of Ni-induced lung carcinogenesis and to develop intervention and preventive methods, more study is needed. This abstract provides an overview of the current understanding of the association between Ni exposure and lung cancer development.