Silver, Plasma
Silver, Plasma
    
Number
071621
CPT
83018
Related Information
  • Silver, Urine
  • Synonyms
    Ag, Plasma
    Specimen
    Plasma
    Volume
    2 mL
    Minimum Volume
    0.6 mL
    Container
    Royal blue-top (sodium EDTA) tube
    Storage Instructions
    Maintain specimen at room temperature.
    Reference Interval
    • Environmental exposure: <5.0 μg/L1
    • Occupational exposure: 1.0-26.0 μg/L2
    Use
    Monitor exposure to silver
    Methodology
    Inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS)
    Additional Information
    Silver exposure through dermal contact is generally characterized by argyria, a blue-gray splotch on the skin. Inhalation of silver and silver compounds has caused increased densifications of pulmonary tissues as evidenced in x-rays.3 Silver alloys and compounds are extensively used in electronics, electrical circuits, and batteries. Alloys of silver are used in the production of tableware and jewelry. Approximately 30% of the consumption of silver in industry is associated with photography.
    Footnotes
    1. Lauwerys RR and Hoet P, Industrial Chemical Exposure: Guidelines for Biological Monitoring, 2nd ed, Boca Raton, FL: Lewis Publishers, 1993, 292.
    2. DiVincenzo GD, Giordano GJ, and Schriever LS, “Biologic Monitoring of Workers Exposed to Silver,” Int Arch Occup Environ Health, 1985, 56(3):207-15.
    3. Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices, 5th ed, Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 1986

    Copyright © 2007 by Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings and Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved