Silver nitrate

Synonyms

Argenti nitras; Argerol; Lunar caustic; Nitrate d'argent [French]; Nitrato de plata [Spanish]; Nitric acid silver(I) salt; Nitric acid, silver(1+) salt; Silbernitrat; Silver mononitrate; UN1493; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Nitrates and Nitrites

Description

Colorless, odorless crystals; Soluble (122 grams in 100 cc of water at 0 deg C; [HSDB]

Sources/Uses

Used as a chemical intermediate, catalyst, disinfectant, and laboratory reagent; Used in photography and in the manufacturing of mirrors, inks, and pharmaceuticals; Used to cauterize wounds, dye hair, and color porcelain; [HSDB]

Comments

Concentrated solutions can cause burns of the skin and eyes. A generalized argryia (silver discoloration of the skin and other organs) was reported in the past among workers heavily exposed to AgNo3 in manufacturing and photography. Methemoglobinemia was reported in the past after treatment of burn patients with 0.5% silver nitrate. [HSDB] Silver nitrate, used in burn therapy, is a reported inducer of methemoglobinemia. [ATSDR Case Studies, # 16] Used extensively in dressings soaked with 0.5% AgNO3 with no apparent toxicity; [Nordberg, p. 1212] See "NITRATES and NITRITES."

Biomedical References

0.01 mg/m3, as Ag

0.01 mg/m3, as Ag

0.01 mg/m3, inhalable fraction, as Ag

10 mg/m3, as Ag

MetHgb is secondary toxic effect

Skin burns

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Dressing Hair
• Glass Manufacturing
• Photographic Processing
• Using Disinfectants or Biocides

Activities

Activities with risk of exposure:

• Glassblowing