Nickel Sulfate in Exercise Equipment: Safety & Potential Exposure

Exercise equipment must be durable to withstand the needs of the user. There are many types of metals that can be used to coat the surface of exercise equipment, including nickel.

Properties of Nickel Sulfate

• Nickel sulfate is a compound that contains nickel, sulfur and oxygen and is a green, blue-green or yellow odorless solid in pure form. It is also hazardous, affecting the nasal passages and lungs when inhaled and causing a rash if exposed to skin, and is also a carcinogen.

Uses of Nickel Sulfate

• Nickel sulfate is used as a mordant in dyes, in preparation of nickel compounds, and in paints, varnishes and ceramics. However, its primary use is in nickel electroplating.

Electroplating

• Nickel sulfate is used in the electroplating process, but the end product should be a nearly pure coat of nickel. If exercise equipment is plated with nickel, it should not contain nickle sulfate, or should contain it in negligible amounts.