Bio: Dr. Samuel Buxton is a board-certified Human Health Toxicologist at NiPERA Inc., the science division of the global Nickel Institute (NI). The NI represents leading nickel producers, with the mission of advocating for the responsible supply of nickel and the sustainable development of the nickel industry. Dr. Buxton oversees research and regulatory activities into nickel genotoxicity and carcinogenicity mechanisms, as well as assessing risks of nickel-containing batteries. Dr. Buxton represents the Nickel Institute at IARC monograph and regulatory meetings. He is a genotoxicity expert, serving on the United Nations Informal Working Group on Germ Cell Mutagenicity to revise chapter 3.5 of the GHS. Before joining NiPERA, Dr. Buxton was a postdoctoral scientist investigating the molecular mechanisms of atrial fibrillation at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Texas, and the molecular pharmacology of acetylcholine receptors as drug target sites at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames Iowa. He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.
Abstract: Nickel, a critical mineral, is indispensable to life as we know it; it is used in stainless steel home appliances, medical devices, solar panels, batteries, and green hydrogen production. The production and use of nickel substances are associated with potential human health and environmental risks. Nickel compounds, but not metallic nickel, have historically been associated with respiratory cancer in occupational settings and animal cancer bioassays. Understanding the mechanisms of nickel carcinogenicity can inform the dose-response and appropriate risk assessment strategies for producing and using nickel safely. The respiratory carcinogenicity of nickel compounds is associated with exposure thresholds, with cancer not observed in animal studies without chronic lung inflammation. The mechanisms of nickel carcinogenicity, which involve inhibition of DNA repair enzymes, generation of reactive oxygen species, histone modifications, and cell proliferation, demonstrate indirect genotoxicity with a threshold mode of action. When considered in toto, the epidemiological, animal, exposure, and mode of action data permit scientifically robust risk assessments and the continued use of nickel in many modern applications.
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Date | Time | Local Time | Room | Forum | Session | Role | Topic |
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2025-10-17 | 17:30-17:45 | 2025-10-17,17:30-17:45 | Room 3 - Guocui Hall | Workshop |
Workshop 06: High-throughput Technology and Health Effects of Heavy Meatal |
Speaker | Elucidating mechanisms of nickel carcinogenicity to ensure safe use through robust risk assessments |