Allergic to gold jewelry? Lab tests reveal gold can dissolve from earrings under specific chemical conditions
Gold has a reputation for being chemically untouchable. But according to Western University chemist Yolanda Hedberg, that reputation is a little misleading—gold is not unreactive so much as selective about what it reacts with.
Gold jewelry can become chemically available and release gold in specific chemical conditions, according to a study led by Western University chemist Yolanda Hedberg. Gold is often considered chemically inert, but it can react with sulfur, particularly present in cysteine, an amino acid found in the body. Cysteine-modified artificial sweat was used in the study to simulate conditions that could lead to gold release from jewelry.
The researchers found that all five pairs of 10K and 14K gold earrings tested released measurable amounts of gold over a week. However, the amounts were very small, ranging from 0.016 to 0.15 micrograms per square centimeter. Copper, which is generally harmless to humans, was released in greater amounts. The study also found that inexpensive gold-plated earrings released detectable nickel, while the more expensive gold-alloy earrings did not.
The study highlights that gold alloys can still release gold under certain conditions, which could potentially trigger an allergic reaction in individuals with gold allergies.
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