Unlike other species of nickel, oral exposure to soluble nickel occurs from drinking water and food. Data from both human and animal studies show that absorption of nickel from food and water is generally low (1-30%), depending on the fasting state of the subject, with most of the nickel excreted in feces (Diamond et al., 1998). In humans, effects of greatest concern for ingested nickel are those produced in the kidney, possible reproductive effects, and the potential for soluble nickel to exacerbate nickel dermatitis following oral provocation.