Nickel levels in boiled tap water

Friday 7 February 2003

The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) has carried out a study investigating levels of nickel in tap water boiled in domestic kettles.

The Government’s scientific advisory committee, the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT), has provided an opinion on the health implications of these findings.

The Food Standards Agency and the DWI have considered these findings and the expert opinion.

High levels of nickel in water are not a health risk for most people.

However, nickel can make skin problems worse for people who have nickel allergic dermatitis.

This condition is normally associated with a reaction to wearing jewellery that is made of nickel.

If buying a new kettle, people whose skin reacts to nickel should ask for a kettle with a stainless steel element or a 'flatbed' kettle without an exposed element.

Children are not considered to be at greater risk than adults. The report indicates that while high levels of nickel can be found in certain new kettles, this rapidly declines with use.