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Silver metal dust and soluble-compound dust

Airborne silver metal dust and particulate from soluble silver compounds.

Airborne form

dust

The form describes what is suspended in air at the point of exposure. A material can produce more than one form, such as dust during handling and fume during heating.

Health effects

blue-gray discolorationnasal irritationthroat irritationskin irritationskin ulcerationgastrointestinal disturbance

Evidence

NIOSH Current Intelligence Bulletin 70 states that the silver REL for total silver (metal dust, fume, and soluble compounds) is intended to prevent argyria and concludes that silver nanoparticles should be considered a respiratory hazard in occupational settings.

Source: pdf ↗ · saved source
page 1 · Summary; Recommendations · 2
NIOSH continues to recommend a REL of 10 µg/m3 as an 8-hour TWA for total silver (metal dust, fume, and soluble compounds, as Ag). The REL and IDLH for total silver are based on preventing workers from developing argyria.

NIOSH lists blue-gray discoloration of the eyes, nasal septum, throat, and skin; skin irritation and ulceration; and gastrointestinal disturbance among symptoms associated with silver dust and soluble compounds.

Source: html ↗ · saved source
Exposure Limits; Exposure Routes; Symptoms; Target Organs · 1
NIOSH REL TWA 0.01 mg/m³. OSHA PEL TWA 0.01 mg/m³. Exposure Routes inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact. Symptoms Blue-gray eyes, nasal septum, throat, skin; irritation, ulceration skin; gastrointestinal disturbance. Target Organs Nasal septum, skin, eyes.

NIOSH lists a 0.01 mg/m³ REL and PEL and a revised IDLH of 10 mg/m³ as silver.

Source: html ↗ · saved source
Exposure Limits; Exposure Routes; Symptoms; Target Organs · 1
NIOSH REL TWA 0.01 mg/m³. OSHA PEL TWA 0.01 mg/m³. Exposure Routes inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact. Symptoms Blue-gray eyes, nasal septum, throat, skin; irritation, ulceration skin; gastrointestinal disturbance. Target Organs Nasal septum, skin, eyes.
Source: html ↗ · saved source
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations · 1
Revised IDLH: 10 mg Ag/m³ ... No inhalation toxicity data are available on which to base an IDLH for silver metal dust and the soluble compounds of silver.

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