Toxicological Risk Assessment of a Nickel Compound Found on the Surfaces of Replacement Hyperstretch Neoprene (CWU-83P) Neck and Wrist Seals for a Cold water Submersion Survival Suit.

摘要

Naval Health Research Center/Toxicology was requested to provide comment and endorse an action plan developed by Naval Air Warfare Center Aeronautics Division (NAWCAD) to remove surface nickel from hyperstretch neoprene (CWU-83/P) neck and wrist seals used in cold water submersion survival suits. The nickel compound present on the surface of the seals is most likely nickeldialkyldithiocarbamate which is a common chemical additive used to prevent photoxidation and breakdown of rubber materials. There is no data on the chronic toxicity or carcinogenicity of nickeldialkyldithiocarbamates. The conservative approach for estimating the toxicological risk of nickeldialkyldithiocarbamate exposure to humans is to assume that these compounds have the same toxic properties as soluble nickel compounds. Lifetime average daily dose (LADD) estimates for persons wearing cold water survival suits were calculated using conservative exposure assumptions.