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Nanosilver – Nothing New, and Not Harmful to the Environment in
Over 120 Years of Use!
the trusted journal, Environmental Science & Technology,
Hi, Steve Barwick here, for www.TheSilverEdge.com...
In light of recent attacks on colloidal silver, nanosilver and
related products by radical anti-silver environmentalists, I thought you’d find
the following press release from EMPA – the Swiss Federal Laboratories for
Materials Science and Technologies – quite interesting.
Here’s what they have to say about a new study on nanosilver, its
safety, and its long history of usage, published in the well-known and trusted
science journal, Environmental Science
& Technology:
Nanosilver: New Name,
Long History of Safety and Effectiveness
Nanosilver is not a new discovery by nanotechnologists -- it has
been used in various products for over a hundred years, as is shown by a new EMPA
study.
The antimicrobial effects of minute silver particles, which were
then known as "colloidal silver," were known from the earliest days
of its use.
Numerous nanomaterials are currently at
the focus of public attention. In particular silver nanoparticles are being
investigated in detail, both by scientists as well as by the regulatory
authorities.
The assumption behind all of this interest from researchers in
nanosilver is that they are dealing with a completely new substance.
However, Empa researchers Bernd Nowack and Harald Krug, together
with Murray Heights of the company HeiQ have shown in
a paper recently
published in the Journal Environmental
Science & Technology that nanosilver is by no means a new discovery.
Nanosilver
First Produced in 1899
Indeed, silver particles with diameters of seven to nine nm were
mentioned as early as 1889.
They were used in medications or as biocides to prevent the growth
of bacteria on surfaces, for example in antibacterial water filters or in
algaecides for swimming pools.
The nanoparticles were known as "colloidal silver" in
those days, but what was meant was the same then as now – extremely small
particles of silver.
The only new aspect is
the use today of the prefix "nano".
"However," according to Bernd Nowack,
"nano does not mean something new, and nor does
it mean something that is harmful."
On
the Market Since the 1920’s
When "colloidal silver" became available on the market
in large quantities in the 1920s it was the topic of numerous studies and
subject to appropriate regulation by the authorities.
Even in those days the significance of the discovery of
nanoparticles and how they worked was realized.
"That is not to say that the possible side-effects of
nanoparticles on humans and the environment should be played down or
ignored," adds Nowack.
On the contrary, it is important to characterize in exact detail
the material properties of nanosilver and not just to believe unquestioningly
the doubts and reservations surrounding the product.
What
Is a “Nanoparticle”?
The term nanoparticle is understood to
refer to particles whose dimensions are less than 100 nm.
Because of their minute size nanoparticles have different
properties than those of larger particles of the same material.
For example, for a given volume nanoparticles have a much greater
surface area, so they are frequently much more reactive than the bulk material.
In addition, even in small quantities nanosilver produces more
silver ions than solid silver. These silver ions are toxic to bacteria.
Harmful to the Environment?
Whether or not nanosilver represents a risk to humans and the
environment is currently the subject of a great deal of investigation.
Currently there are hundreds of products in circulation which
contain silver nanoparticles. Examples include cosmetics, food packaging
materials, disinfectants, cleaning agents and – not
least – antibacterial socks and underwear.
Every year some 320 tonnes of nanosilver are used worldwide, some of which is released
into wastewater, thus finding its way into natural water recirculation systems.
What effects silver particles have on rivers, soil and the
organisms that live in them has not yet been clarified in detail.
But a commentary by Bernd Nowack in the
scientific journal Science discusses
the implications of the newest studies on nanosilver in sewage treatment
plants.
According to Nowack, more than 90% of
silver nanoparticles remains bound in the sewage sludge in the form of silver
sulfide, a substance which is extremely insoluble and orders of magnitude less toxic
than free silver ions.
It apparently does not matter what the original form of the silver
in the wastewater was, whether as metallic nanoparticles, as silver ions in
solution or as precipitated insoluble silver salts.
"As far as the environmental effects are concerned, it seems
that nanosilver in consumer goods is no different than other forms of silver
and represents only a minor problem for eco-systems," says Nowack.
– End –
The above press release from EMPA, and the related study
from the journal Environmental Science
& Technology offer truly good news.
Why? Because they represent
some of the first good published scientific
confirmation of what I’ve been saying all along, which is that…
…the environmentalist case against nanosilver in all of its forms,
including colloidal silver, is based on little more than rank sensationalism
and childish exaggeration.
The idea that a substance that’s been used safely and successfully
for decades in public and private
swimming pools, public fountains, cosmetics, medicines, wound care,
disinfectant products, water filters, as a dietary supplement used by millions
worldwide and even as an antimicrobial substance in manned space flights…
…but has now suddenly become “toxic” to the environment or harmful
to human health…
…is just this side of ludicrous.
Indeed, the radical anti-silver environmentalists have painted
themselves into a box on this one.
Their story is unraveling fast, particularly since new research
has demonstrated that “mother earth” even makes her own
silver nanoparticles naturally.
This makes a laughingstock of their claims of needing to “protect
the environment” from potential harm from silver nanoparticles.
But don’t expect the radical anti-silver environmentalists to take
this lying down.
Nosiree. I can guarantee you they’ll be back with even
more unrealistic and overblown claims against nanosilver, colloidal silver and
other forms of antimicrobial silver.
In the weeks and months ahead I’ll continue to report on this
issue as more information becomes available.
Until then, I remain…
Yours
for the safe, sane and responsible
use of colloidal silver,
Steve
Barwick, author
The Ultimate
Colloidal Silver Manual
Related
Articles:
·
Scare Tactics
and Lies About Antimicrobial Nanosilver
·
Antimicrobial Silver and Food Products
·
In Defense of Colloidal Silver
Nanoparticles
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Important Note and
Disclaimer: The contents of this Ezine have not been
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Information conveyed herein is from sources deemed to be accurate and
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reliability thereof. The author, Steve
Barwick, is a natural health journalist with over 30 years of experience
writing professionally about natural health topics. He is not
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advice. Nothing reported herein is
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journalistic fashion what he has learned during the past 17 years of
journalistic research into colloidal silver and its usage. Therefore, the information and data presented
should be considered for informational purposes only, and approached with
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