Home Safety / Products / Nickel Allergy and Everyday Exposure (Jewelry, Coins, Food, Cookware)

Nickel Allergy and Everyday Exposure (Jewelry, Coins, Food, Cookware) — household safety profile

Low risk

Nickel contact allergy affects 10-20% of the global population (higher in women — jewelry exposure).

What is this product?

Nickel contact allergy affects 10-20% of the global population (higher in women — jewelry exposure). Nickel is ubiquitous: jewelry, coins, belt buckles, eyeglass frames, buttons, zippers, phone cases, keys, stainless steel cookware (304 contains 8-10% nickel), canned food, and even some foods (chocolate, nuts, legumes). EU REACH restricts nickel release from articles in prolonged skin contact to 0.5 μg/cm²/week. US has no equivalent restriction. Once sensitized, nickel allergy is lifelong.

What's in it

Click any compound name for its full safety profile, regulatory consensus, and exposure data.

Allergen

Who's most at risk

  • Children — Developing endocrine and neurological systems, higher exposure per body weight

Red flags — when to walk away

  • Product not tested for or labeled for specific vulnerable population — Standard safety data may not apply to your specific condition.

Green flags — what to look for

  • Physician-recommended or specifically tested for vulnerable population — Safety evaluated for your specific condition/life stage.

Safer alternatives

  • Titanium or platinum jewelry — nickel-free
  • 316 stainless steel cookware — lower nickel leaching than 304
  • Clear nail polish barrier on metal buttons, snaps, zippers — Alternative

Frequently asked questions

Who should be careful with Nickel Allergy and Everyday Exposure (Jewelry, Coins, Food, Cookware)?

Vulnerable populations identified for this product type: children.

Are there safer alternatives to Nickel Allergy and Everyday Exposure (Jewelry, Coins, Food, Cookware)?

Yes — consider: Titanium or platinum jewelry; 316 stainless steel cookware; Clear nail polish barrier on metal buttons, snaps, zippers. See the Safer alternatives section above for details.

Look up Nickel Allergy and Everyday Exposure (Jewelry, Coins, Food, Cookware) in the home app

Search by ingredient, browse by category, or compare to alternatives in the live app.

Open in home View raw API data

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific information. Why we built ALETHEIA →