A flame atomic-absorption spectroscopy method for determination of nickel in the serum of occupationally exposed subjects has been developed. Trichloroacetic add is utilized for precipitating proteins and freeing bound nickel; sodium diethyldithiocarbamate is used as complexing agent and isopropyl acetate as the solvent for extraction. The method is characterized by good accuracy, precision and sensitivity, over a concentration range up to about 20 ng/ml. Calcium, which is present in serum in great excess with respect to typical nickel concentrations, does not interfere in the determination of the latter.