Technology
SmartSilver Antimicrobial Properties Guard Against Bacteria, Mold and Fungus Growth
Silver Has Been Used Against Infections for Millennia
Silver has been used extensively since ancient times to fight infections. The antibacterial and antiviral actions of silver have been investigated for millennia. As early as 1200 BC, the ancient Phoenicians stored water in silver bottles to prevent spoilage from microbes. By 500 BC, Greeks and Romans routinely used silver vessels for water purification. In the 4th century BC, Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, noted the healing benefits and anti-disease properties of silver. As they trekked westward, 19th century American pioneers used silver to keep their water safe and prevent common ailments such as dysentery, colds, and flu. They also used silver dollars in their milk containers to slow bacterial growth. The 1800s also saw silver used directly for medicinal purposes—as silver sutures for surgical wounds, as a silver nitrate solution to eliminate blindness in newborns, and to treat typhoid and anthrax. Before the onset of antibiotics, silver compounds were used to prevent infection during World War I. During the 1920s, over 3 million prescriptions were written annually for medicinal silver.
Silver Is Routinely Used in Modern Healthcare
Silver’s impressive history continues today. Because of its unique combination of efficacy and low-toxicity, silver is routinely used in neonatal eye drops to prevent eye infection. It is the preferred antimicrobial in wound care because of its ability to improve healing without promoting antibiotic resistance. Silver sulfadiazine is the most popular treatment for burns in U.S. burn centers. Outside the health care sector, you will find silver in surfaces such as cutting boards and table tops to protect against food contamination, in sports and military clothing to reduce bacteria-causing odors, and in water purification filters used by international airlines and NASA. Silver is likewise found in homes to help sanitize swimming pools without the harsh effects of chlorine.
Regulated by US EPA, Smartsilver Means No Compromises
SmartSilver offers durable, proven and effective protection against the growth of bacteria, fungus, and mold in a variety of textile and health care products, including fibers and fabrics. The active ingredient in SmartSilver is registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency: Additive SSB Reg. Number: 83587-3.
SmartSilver Disrupts Bacteria
When products infused with SmartSilver come into contact with moisture, they release very low levels of silver ions that inhibit the growth of microbes, including those that cause odor and infection. Silver ions interact with the critical bacterial components needed for respiration, reproduction and the cell wall, which is how the microbe protects itself. Bacteria use enzymes in order to metabolize nutrients and create energy. Silver ions disrupt these bacterial enzymes and stop energy metabolism and nutrient transport, essentially suffocating the bacteria. Silver ions also slow the processes required for the bacteria to replicate. Furthermore, silver binds with components of the bacterial cell wall, the layers of which provide protection and structure to the cell. The ions create structural imperfections within these layers, resulting in the collapse or burst of the bacteria.
It Is Pretty Much Impossible for Bacteria to Devise a Defense
Because silver ions disrupt three pathways (respiration, replication, and cell wall synthesis) within the bacteria (thus making it much more difficult for the bacteria to devise an effective defense), silver is much less likely to promote the development of resistant bacteria than traditional antibiotics that typically target only one of these pathways. Antimicrobial silver has been used extensively in hospitals for decades with no clinically relevant cases of antibiotic resistance.
SmartSilver is Designed to Permanently Protect Fabric
Independent testing has shown that the SmartSilver particles remain embedded within a product. SmartSilver additives are designed to permanently attach to the carrier material so the particles stay tightly bound. ArgentPro products have been tested to 50 washes without reduction in anti-microbial effect.
Silver Has Been Used Against Infections for Millennia
Silver has been used extensively since ancient times to fight infections. The antibacterial and antiviral actions of silver have been investigated for millennia. As early as 1200 BC, the ancient Phoenicians stored water in silver bottles to prevent spoilage from microbes. By 500 BC, Greeks and Romans routinely used silver vessels for water purification. In the 4th century BC, Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, noted the healing benefits and anti-disease properties of silver. As they trekked westward, 19th century American pioneers used silver to keep their water safe and prevent common ailments such as dysentery, colds, and flu. They also used silver dollars in their milk containers to slow bacterial growth. The 1800s also saw silver used directly for medicinal purposes—as silver sutures for surgical wounds, as a silver nitrate solution to eliminate blindness in newborns, and to treat typhoid and anthrax. Before the onset of antibiotics, silver compounds were used to prevent infection during World War I. During the 1920s, over 3 million prescriptions were written annually for medicinal silver.
Silver Is Routinely Used in Modern Healthcare
Silver’s impressive history continues today. Because of its unique combination of efficacy and low-toxicity, silver is routinely used in neonatal eye drops to prevent eye infection. It is the preferred antimicrobial in wound care because of its ability to improve healing without promoting antibiotic resistance. Silver sulfadiazine is the most popular treatment for burns in U.S. burn centers. Outside the health care sector, you will find silver in surfaces such as cutting boards and table tops to protect against food contamination, in sports and military clothing to reduce bacteria-causing odors, and in water purification filters used by international airlines and NASA. Silver is likewise found in homes to help sanitize swimming pools without the harsh effects of chlorine.
Regulated by US EPA, Smartsilver Means No Compromises
SmartSilver offers durable, proven and effective protection against the growth of bacteria, fungus, and mold in a variety of textile and health care products, including fibers and fabrics. The active ingredient in SmartSilver is registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency: Additive SSB Reg. Number: 83587-3.
SmartSilver Disrupts Bacteria
When products infused with SmartSilver come into contact with moisture, they release very low levels of silver ions that inhibit the growth of microbes, including those that cause odor and infection. Silver ions interact with the critical bacterial components needed for respiration, reproduction and the cell wall, which is how the microbe protects itself. Bacteria use enzymes in order to metabolize nutrients and create energy. Silver ions disrupt these bacterial enzymes and stop energy metabolism and nutrient transport, essentially suffocating the bacteria. Silver ions also slow the processes required for the bacteria to replicate. Furthermore, silver binds with components of the bacterial cell wall, the layers of which provide protection and structure to the cell. The ions create structural imperfections within these layers, resulting in the collapse or burst of the bacteria.
It Is Pretty Much Impossible for Bacteria to Devise a Defense
Because silver ions disrupt three pathways (respiration, replication, and cell wall synthesis) within the bacteria (thus making it much more difficult for the bacteria to devise an effective defense), silver is much less likely to promote the development of resistant bacteria than traditional antibiotics that typically target only one of these pathways. Antimicrobial silver has been used extensively in hospitals for decades with no clinically relevant cases of antibiotic resistance.
SmartSilver is Designed to Permanently Protect Fabric
Independent testing has shown that the SmartSilver particles remain embedded within a product. SmartSilver additives are designed to permanently attach to the carrier material so the particles stay tightly bound. ArgentPro products have been tested to 50 washes without reduction in anti-microbial effect.
