Silver paints are used for making printed circuits. The metal is used to make mirrors, as it is the best reflector of visible light known, although it does tarnish with time. Biological Role Silver has no known biological role, although it is a suspected carcinogen. Silver compounds can be absorbed in the circulatory system and reduced silver deposited in various organs. This results in greyish pigmentation of the skin and mucous membranes, known as argyria.
Silver has germicidal effects - it can kill lower organisms quite effectively.
General Information Silver is stable to water and oxygen but is attacked by sulfur compounds in air to form a black sulphide layer. It dissolves in sulfuric and nitric acids. It is a little harder than gold and is extremely ductile and malleable. Pure silver has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of all metals, and has the lowest contact resistance.