Jason,
Thanks for the reference material. The conditions seem to be pretty
extreme - not many of us are going to be using 1500 PPM solution of silver
salts of any kind as drinking water. Nevertheless it raises an interesting
matter. Most of the home made "CS" has the silver in the form of a silver salt
- namely silver hydroxide, more so than actual colloid. So is it only the low
concentration and/or dosage that prevents poisoning? It has been stated
previously on this list that in the case of silver nitrate, nitrate is the
actual culprit. But acetate is from vinegar, so it seems safe to assume that in
the case of silver acetate, only the silver could be to blame. Is the picture
more complicated than this - meaning the stuff exists in the body in part as
undissociated complex that acts differently to either ionic species?
regards, Kevin Nolan [email protected]
--------------Original Message-------------
"Kevin:
"Addition of silver acetate to the diet (130-1000 ppm) or drinking water
(1500 ppm) of weaning rats fed a vitamin E deficient diet, precipitated a
rapidly fatal hepatocellular necrosis and muscular dystrophy on day 14 of
the treatment or subsequently." ( Grasso P. et al, 1967 Exp. Mol. Pathol.,
11,186-199 ). According to the study, the silver acetate ( NOT isolated
silver! ) depletes the body of Vitamin E and Selenium. If the body is
deficient in either ( as in the above reference ) than severe symptoms of
silver poisoining manifest, including increased silver retention in the
kidneys and liver.
This was taken from a "stock" manufacturer's datasheet on silver acetate:
********
POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS
Inhalation:
Mild irritant and nuisance dust. Coughing, sneezing or possibly
breathing difficulty upon the inhalation of large amounts.
Ingestion:
Effect will be similar to but normally less severe than with silver
nitrate. Acute poisoning can cause pain or burning sensation in mouth and
throat, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, methemoglobinemia, anuria and,
in extreme cases, shock, coma and death.
Skin Contact:
Causes irritation to skin. Symptoms include redness, itching, and pain.
Eye Contact:
Possibly some chemical or mechanical irritation of the conjunctiva.
Chronic Exposure: Prolonged or repeated inhalation, application or ingestion
of silver compounds may cause a permanent bluish discoloration of the skin
and mucous membranes. Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions: Persons with
heavy metals accumulation should cease contact with silver compounds.
Label Hazard Warning:
WARNING! HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES
AND RESPIRATORY TRACT.
********
Now this datasheet is for pure silver acetate. Still, silver acetate is
silver acetate.
Documented cases of Argyria exist for six months of regular silver acetate
usage. In one case, 6.4 grams was the estimated silver accumulation in the
individual from taking silver acetate lozenges.
I don't have any information on silver citrate!"
