Being Familiar With Silver Nitrate - By: joalesto

You might have seen silver nitrate in your chemistry laboratory back in high school or college. This compound is also called lunar caustic. This soluble compound has a number of industrial and medical uses and is recognized in hospitals for its antiseptic and disinfecting properties. Aside from being an essential component of cleaning solutions, it is also used in finding other substances. For instance, in its liquid state, it may be used to identify chloride, bromide, and iodine compounds.

The chemical is used and applied on the eyes of newborns to prevent blindness if the mother is infected with gonorrhea. Although this practice has worked well for some time, as it reduced chances of blindness in infants, complications arose. Instead of preventing blindness, it caused eye damage in some infants, but the cause was not the chemical itself but the wrong dosage.

The compound is known for its white crystalline appearance and has no odor. It is known as a strong oxidant which decomposes to produce toxic fumes. It also reacts aggressively with combustible materials and is not compatible with acetylene, halides, and alkalis and may even attack rubber and plastics. Its solubility in water is high, so aqueous solutions of it are available. The solid crystals melt at 212 degrees Celsius.

You have noted some of the general medical uses of the compound. Well, the medical purposes of this compound are extensive. Oral ulcers can be treated by applying swabs dipped in AgNO3 solution on the sores. Unwanted tissues around surgical openings can be removed using solid form of the compound. The antibacterial properties of this substance can be used in various applications. For instance, it is coated on medical instruments, like catheters, because doing so prevents infection in patients.

Since it has antimicrobial properties, it may be used during water purification. Home water filtration systems may include silver nitrate because it eliminates harmful microorganisms in water. Speaking of disinfection, it is used to clean food items like vegetables and chicken. For these purpose, dilute forms of the compound is used as high concentrations are hazardous. Its antimicrobial properties somehow allow it to replace antibiotics for specific purposes in a few areas. However, the Food and Drug Administration restricts the usage of this compound because it is often used incorrectly. Incorrect applications can lead to serious health problems. Highly diluted forms of the substance are safe and beneficial for humans. Considerably high concentrations are corrosive and toxic. Skin irritation and burns can occur if this chemical is not handled with care.

Silver nitrate is one of those substances that are used in wide variety of applications. It must be noted that it is a compound that contains silver and it is prepared by mixing silver in nitric acid. This mixing of silver and nitric acid is the cheapest way to obtain the nitrate salt of silver. The compound dissolves not only in water but also in alcohol and acetone. It is actually used in making mirrors, pharmaceutical products, explosives, and hair dye. It is also used in the development of photographs in film photography. In addition, staining specimens for scanning electron microscopy is done using the chemical.

Experts warn about the toxicity of this chemical which is harmful when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed in the body. Powder form of the compound can be dispersed, and dispersed powder or dust irritates the eyes, nasal passages, and skin. Ingestion must be avoided because it can lead to formation of methaemoglobin and to the graying of the skin and other organs in the body. Make sure that the room where you are working is well ventilated and that you wear protective clothing to avert exposure. Disposal measures must be observed properly as the nitrate salt of silver is not good to the environment.

About the Author

Jo is a content writer for 'Silver Nitrate' (http://www.silver-nitrate.co.uk), a website owned by ReAgent Chemical Services Ltd, a reputable UK based chemical producer that manufactures, supplies and distributes a vast selection of high quality chemical. If your firm is looking for high quality chemical product such as Silver Nitrate then take a look at ReAgent Chemical Services Ltd.

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