Gold (CED0000293)

Gold (Au) is a compound with an average molecular weight of 196.97 g/mol. Gold belongs to the homogeneous transition metal compounds, a class of homogeneous metal compounds within the inorganic compounds. Its industrial applications include use as a biocide, softener and conditioner, dye, plating agent (PMC11186612, PMC7023511), and catalyst (PMC9054049). In biological contexts, it serves as an antioxidant (PMC11186612, PMC7023511), an anticoagulant (PMC7023511), and a fluorescent probe (PMC12427177). The element is found in or released from 71 recorded sources, including electrical and electronic equipment such as amplifiers, antennas, coils, and adjustable resistors; household cleaning and consumer products like bleaching agents, ash trays, and match receptacles or boxes; and food, food processing and cookware, including food contact materials and fermentation processes for beer, molasses, wine, or sparkling wine. It is also present in building and construction materials such as floors, roofs, ceilings, and fencing, as well as household items including coins, medals, badges, and credit card holders. Exposure routes include oral, touch, and inhalation, with literature support specifically for inhalation (PMC11320736). Gold has not been detected in polyethylene terephthalate or polystyrene. Regarding health effects, gold is a biomarker of liver cancer (PMC8640478) and is associated with multiple sclerosis (PMC11890113). It is utilized as a treatment for cancer (PMC7008091) and rheumatoid arthritis (PMC4311390), and it has a therapeutic effect on lung cancer (PMC7285361).