Silver

Silver

Silver compounds can cause Argyria, a condition where the skin and other body tissues turn gray or blue-gray. This is thought not to have adverse health effects. Exposure to dust containing relatively high levels of silver compounds such as silver nitrate or silver oxide may cause breathing problems, lung and throat irritation and stomach pain. Skin contact with silver compounds may cause mild allergic reactions such as rash, swelling, and inflammation.

Potential Sources

P2 Options

Commercial/Industrial

Hospitals/Medical Laboratories
Dentists
Photo Processing
Auto Services

Hospitals/Medical Laboratories

Dentists

Photo Processing

Auto Services

Silver: P2 Options: Hospitals/Medical Laboratories, Dentists

Train employees in proper equipment and chemical handling and procedures.
Consider silver-free alternatives.
Encourage all employees to read the material safety data sheets provided.
Clean spills immediately, and treat soiled towels as a hazardous waste.
Recycle silver wastes used in X-ray and photographic equipment.
Recycle dental amalgam.
Use pre-encapsulated dental amalgam.

[Related links][References]

Silver: P2 Options: Photo Processing

Train employees in proper equipment and chemical handling and procedures.
Consider switching to silverless film.
Use inventory control to avoid having materials expire.
Keep lids on solutions to avoid contamination and oxidation.
Segregate spent fix bath solutions from rinsewaters and developer solutions to make silver recovery easier.
Install a rinsewater recycling system.

[Related links][References]

Silver: P2 Options: Auto Services

Train employees in proper equipment and chemical handling and procedures.
Keep an emergency spill kit available at all times.
Recycle vehicle batteries
Keep fluid wastes in well marked containers.
Regularly inspect solvent tanks and separators.
Use drip pans whenever changing fluids.
Consider plugging up shop sewer drains.
Sweep work area instead of hosing down.
Consider installing a wastewater recycling system.
Keep waste towels in a closed, well-marked container. Consider using laundry service able to treat wastewater generated from cleaning the towels.

[Related links][References]

Silver: References

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Public Health Statement: Silver,
http://atsdr1.atsdr.cdc.gov:8080/ToxProfiles/phs9024.html

California Environmental Protection Agency, Pollution Prevention Guide for Hospitals (Excluding Medical Wastes), Document 413, May 1998.

Envirosense, Photo Processing Pollution Prevention Opportunities Checklist
http://es.epa.gov/techinfo/facts/cheklst6.html

Envirosense, Fact Sheet:Autobody Shops, November 1998.
http://es.epa.gov/techinfo/facts/autobody.html

Envirosense, Fact Sheet:Automotive Repair Shops, November 1998.
http://es.epa.gov/techinfo/facts/automotv.html

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, YardWise: A Green Guide to Yard Care, ftp://ftp.tnrcc.state.tx.us/pub/ExecutiveDirector/
AgencyCommunications/topdoc/gi/028.pdf

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