SILVER HAS
ANTI-MICROBIAL
PROPERTIES
Throughout history, people have taken advantage of the antimicrobial properties of silver.
The Greeks and Romans stored water in silver as it was believed this kept the liquids fresh.
During the plagues in Europe, wealthy families ate from silver plates and utensils, in the hope that
silver might protect them from the disease that was claiming their neighbours’ lives.
The expression ‘born with a silver spoon in the mouth’ had a dual meaning. Not only did it
refer to wealth, it also referred to health. People were eating off silver spoons because they
knew that an infection couldn’t survive on silver.
Without knowing it people were taking advantage of the natural ANTIMICROBIAL properties
of silver.
Today many products are produced using silver to give antibacterial properties to that
surface. Silver antibacterial socks, silver soap, silver-lined curtains in hospitals, silver-lined
bandages for treating burns, silver-lined bandaids, silver toothbrushes etc.
(The below information was taken from http://www.saltlakemetals.com/Silver_Antibacterial.htm)
In History
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Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, wrote that silver had beneficial healing and antidisease properties.
The Phoenicians used to store water, wine, and vinegar in silver bottles to prevent spoiling.
Prior to antibiotics, Colloidal Silver was used widely in hospitals as a bactericide.
In the early 1800s, doctors used silver sutures in surgical wounds with very successful results.
Pioneers of the American West found that if they placed silver or copper coins in their casks of
drinking water, it kept the water safe from bacteria, algae, etc.
In the early 1900s people would put silver dollars in milk bottles to prolong the milk's freshness.
Silver compounds were used successfully to prevent infection in World War I (before antibiotics).
Silver leaf was used to combat infection in wounds sustained by troops during World War I.
By 1940 there were approximately four dozen different silver compounds on the market being
used to treat every known infectious disease.
Settlers in the Australian outback suspend silverware in their water tanks to retard spoilage.
The widespread use of silver went out of fashion with the development of modern antibiotics.
However, recently there has been renewed interest in silver as a broad spectrum antimicrobial. In
particular, it is being used with alginate, a naturally occurring biopolymer derived from seaweed,
in a range of silver alginate products designed to prevent infections as part of wound
management procedures, particularly applicable to burn victims.
(over)
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In Today's Marketplace
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Samsung has introduced washing machines that inject silver ions into the wash and rinse cycles
to kill 99.9% of odor causing bacteria. Silver atoms, electrolytically stripped of an electron, are
injected during the wash and rinse cycles, allowing over 100 quadrillion silver ions to penetrate
deep into the fabric to sanitize clothing without the need for hot water or bleach. These
machines can wash about 3,100 loads using 1 Troy Ounce (31.1 grams) of Silver metal.
Kohler has introduced a line of toilet seats that include an antimicrobial agent formed into the
plastic which inhibits the growth of odor causing bacteria, mold and mildew.
American Standard StayClean™ whirlpool systems have plastic pipes manufactured with
Antimicrobial Alphasan® which are blue in color. This revolutionary material uses silver's natural
antimicrobial characteristics to help keep the whirlpool free of 99.9% of microbes, mold and
mildew.
NanoHorizons, Inc. SmartSilver™ are nanoscale silver additives for urethane, nylon and cotton.
These permanent anti-odor/antimicrobial additives are added to the fibers during manufacturing.
Electrical Ionization units impregnate water with silver and copper ions. These sanitize pools,
spas and fountains without the harsh effects of chlorine.
AgION® Silver based antimicrobial protects Logitech wireless keyboard/mouse against a broad
spectrum of bacteria.
Sherwin-Williams® Silver based antimicrobial will provide FasTop™ Flooring Systems with
continuous protection against a broad spectrum of microbes.
Ice-O-Matic® Uses Silver based antimicrobial protection for the life of their ice cube machines to
prevent bacteria, slime and fungus growth.
FoodTouch® silver based food packaging liners preserve food quality. Superior to parchment,
wax or butcher paper.
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In Medicine
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Silver or silver compounds are used externally in wound and burns treatment.
Curad® Natural Silver Antimicrobial bandages. Laboratory testing showed that silver reduced
bacterial growth like Staph. aureaus, E. coli, E. hirae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (a powerful
germ that does not respond to many antibacterials) in the dressing for 24 hours.
Elastoplast® Silver Healing™ bandages. The pads in these bandages contain silver ions.
These ions kill over 150 different bacteria, fungi, yeast and other harmful germs.
Silver Sulfadiazine is an antibacterial and antifungal agent. It is used as a topical cream to
prevent and treat skin infections on areas of burned skin. The U.S. patent for Silver Sulfadiazine
issued in September 1973.
Silver Chloride has the ability to eliminate or flush out mercury from the body.
Silver Chloride is used as a thin coating on the surface of Medical Electrodes for EKG
machines. (Placed against the skin).
Silver Chloride is used as an anti microbial agent in some infection resistant surgical fabric
materials.
Silver Chloride is used to help prevent bacteria from growing on Latex (mixed into the Latex
before it is formed).
Silver Carbonate is used as a biocide against bacteria, yeasts and molds in some Cosmetics.
Silver Carbonate is used in some topical antibiotic creams (about 1% Silver Carbonate ).
Silver Carbonate is used in some tooth surface treatments to prevent cavities.