SILVER AND ITS COMPOUNDS
|
Silver and its compounds
(Argentum)
CAS 7440-22-4 |
Ag |
White metallic solid
bp 2200 °C, mp 961 °C
Insoluble in water |
Odorless |
PEL (OSHA) 0.01 mg/m 3 TLV-TWA (ACGIH) 0.1 mg/m3(silver metal) TLV-TWA (ACGIH) 0.01 mg/m3(soluble silver compounds, as Ag) |
Exposure to silver metal or soluble silver compounds can cause discoloration or blue-gray darkening of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. |
The acute toxicity of silver metal is low. The acute toxicity of soluble silver compounds depends on the counterion and must be evaluated case by case. For example, silver nitrate is strongly corrosive and can cause burns and permanent damage to the eyes and skin. Chronic exposure to silver or silver salts can cause a local or generalized darkening of the mucous membranes, skin, and eyes known as argyria. The other chronic effects of silver compounds must be evaluated individually. |
Silver and most soluble silver compounds are not combustible. However, silver nitrate and certain other silver compounds are oxidizers and can increase the flammability of combustible materials. Silver acetylide, azide, fulminate, oxalate mixtures, styphnate, tartarate mixtures, and tetrazene are all explosives and must be handled as such. |
Contact of metallic silver and silver compounds with acetylene may cause formation of silver acetylide, which is a shock-sensitive explosive. Contact with ammonia may cause formation of compounds that are explosive when dry. Contact with strong hydrogen peroxide solutions causes violent decomposition with the formation of oxygen gas. Many silver compounds are light sensitive, and many have significant reactivities or incompatibilities, which should be evaluated before use. |
Silver and silver compounds should be handled in the laboratory using the "basic prudent practices" described in Chapter 5.C. Individual silver compounds should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine whether additional handling procedures for high toxicity (Chapter 5.D) or reactivity and explosibility (Chapter 5.G) are appropriate. Most silver compounds should be protected from light during storage or while in use. |
In the event of skin contact, immediately wash with soap and water and remove contaminated clothing. In case of eye contact, promptly wash with copious amounts of water for 15 min (lifting upper and lower lids occasionally) and obtain medical attention. If silver or silver compounds are ingested, obtain medical attention immediately. If large amounts of silver dust or silver compounds are inhaled, move the person to fresh air and seek medical attention at once. In the event of a spill, sweep up the silver or silver compounds or soak up with a nonreactive absorbent material or spill pillow, place in an appropriate container, and dispose of properly. Respiratory protection may be necessary in the event of a large spill or release in a confined area. |
Excess silver, silver compounds, and waste material containing these substances should be placed in an appropriate container, clearly labeled, and handled according to your institution's waste disposal guidelines. Collection for silver recovery should be considered. |
The information in this LCSS has been compiled by a committee
of the National Research Council from literature sources and Material
Safety Data Sheets and is believed to be accurate as of July 1994.
This summary is intended for use by trained laboratory personnel
in conjunction with the NRC report Prudent
Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals. This LCSS presents a concise
summary of safety information that should be adequate for most
laboratory uses of the title substance, but in some cases it may
be advisable to consult more comprehensive references. This information
should not be used as a guide to the nonlaboratory use of this
chemical.
Copyright 1995 National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
|
