Silver and Gold

Silver and gold are transitional metals and exhibit different chemical properties. They have distinctive uses in industry, commercial applications and in medical science. The World Health Organization and various national regulatory authorities recognize that occupational exposure to silver and many other metals in the workplace pose significant health risks. In the case of silver, argyria and argyrosis with profound discolorations of the skin and eyes present a major risk associated with chronic exposure to silver. Selected clinical cases are documented to illustrate complications that arise in the use of silver. Gold dust is expected as a contaminant in the atmosphere close to mining areas, but in view of their high density, particles, can be expected to settle rapidly and present minimal risk of inhalation by workers, but appreciably greater risks have been associated with silica, mercury and cyanide in gold workers. Neutron activation analysis has been described for determination of gold in blood following clinical or occupational exposure to the metal. The present chapter discusses properties, production, uses, exposure assessment, toxic effects, and several clinical cases of these transitional metals. Keywords: argyrosis; metallic silver; hypogeusia; chrysiasis