Occupational exposure silver

Jongeneelen FJ, Jongerius O Criteria Document for Metallic Silver. Occupational Exposure Limits, pp 1-30. Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 2985 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, 1992... 

No studies were located regarding hematological effects in animals following inhalation exposure to silver or silver compounds. Despite the lack of supportive animal data, occupational exposure findings suggest that hematological effects are not a sensitive indicator of silver toxicity. 

Renal Effects. Occupational exposure to silver metal dust has been associated with increased excretion of a particular renal enzyme (N-acetyl-p-D glucosaminidase), and with decreased creatinine clearance (Rosenman et al. 1987). Both of these effects are diagnostic of marginally impaired renal function. However, the workers in this study were also exposed to cadmium, which was detected in the urine of 5 of the 27 workers studied. Cadmium is known to be nephrotoxic differentiation of the effects of the two metals in the kidney is not possible with the data presented. Therefore, no conclusion can be drawn regarding renal effects of silver based on this study. 

Chronic exposure of workers to unidentified silver compounds resulted in the detection of silver in 100% of the fecal samples and 6% of the urine samples (Divincenzo et al. 1985). This occupational exposure is assumed to have occurred primarily by the inhalation route. 

These biomarkers appear to be independent of the route of exposure, but have not been quantitatively correlated with level and duration of exposure. The prevalence and estimated magnitude of silver deposition in the skin, however, were associated with duration of occupational exposure. 

Treatment of air emissions containing silver is not a concern as atmospheric emissions rarely approach the federal threshold limit value for occupational exposure of 0.01 mg/m (Smith and Carson 1977). 

Preliminary data from a second workplace survey, the 1980-1983 National Occupational Exposure Survey (NOES) conducted by NIOSH, indicated that 67,054 workers, including 15,763 women, in 3,123 plants were potentially exposed to silver in the workplace in 1980 (NIOSH 1984a). These estimates were derived from observations of the actual use of silver (67% of total estimate) and the use of trade name products known to contain the compound (33%). The largest number of workers were exposed in the primary metal industries, business services, health services, instruments and related products industries, and fabricated metal products industries. 

Additional industrial processes which act as potential sources of occupational exposure to silver include the processing of silver chemicals such as silver nitrate and silver oxide for uses such as photography, and smelting and refining of silver-containing ores (DiVincenzo et al. 1985). 

Occupational exposure to elemental Hg has occrrrred because of accidents in chloralkali plants (Bluhm et al. 1992). However, there are other potential occupational exposures to elemental Hg. In additiorr, some Caribbean religiorrs use elemental Hg in religious ceremonies (Wendroff 1995). Children have been known to play with elemental Hg because of its fascinating physical properties (i.e., liquid silver), possibly... 

Cadmium is a bivalent metal that is used as an anticorrosive and, in association with nickel, copper and silver, in the production of conducting alloys. One of its salts (cadmium sulfide) is used as a colorant for paints and rubber cadmium acetate is used in the production of craftware. There are reports in the literature of cadmium granulomas with a sarcoid-like appearance. Occupational exposure to rare metals has been well reviewed recently (McFadden et al. 1989 Kusaka 1993). The histopathological diagnosis is... 

Alopecia from thallium is no longer an occupational problem. Cases of accidental discoloration of hair (copper, cobalt, and silver) and nails (mercury, lead, silver and chromium) by occupational exposure are nowadays rarely seen at outpatient clinics. Green hair from copper exposure is mainly non-occupational. 

Silver is a relatively rare metal that occurs naturally in the earth s crust and is released to the environment from various industrial sources. Human exposure to silver and silver compounds can occur orally, dermally, or by inhalation. Silver is found in most tissues in small amounts, but has no known physiologic function. Other than occupational exposures, the general population is not at extensive risk of exposure to silver by any route. 

Any release to the environment of more than 1 pound silver nitrate or 1000 pounds of silver alone should be reported to the National Response Center. To limit the amount silver workers are exposed to during an 8-hour shift for a 40-hour work week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a legal limit (Permissible Exposure Limit or PEL) of 0.01 milligrams of silver per cubic meter of air (mg/m ) in workroom air. 

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