ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a detailed discussion on the occurrence and production, uses, chemical and physical properties, exposure and exposure limits, toxicokinetics, and effects of palladium in humans. The platinum-group metals are recovered from placer deposits of two intergrown alloys of the metals and from sulfide-ore bodies. Most of the new platinum-group metal recovery in the United States is from copper and gold refining. The major use of palladium in the United States has been in automobile catalytic converters. Other catalyst uses include other air pollution control applications, petroleum refining, and hydrogenation in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Dental uses include toothpins in porcelain teeth, dental wires, and gold alloys for inlays, crowns, bridges, and partial dentures. The effects of palladium in humans include information on acute toxicity, chronic toxicity, biochemistry, specific organs and systems, teratogenicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity.
