Colloidal silver is the suspension of microscopic particles of silver in a liquid. The smallest possible particles of silver, monovalent silver, are electrically-charged in solution. Many think that colloid silver has medicinal value, although clinical studies are lacking. Colloidal silver can, however, purify water and is used as an additive in water supplies and swimming pools.
History
Egyptians used silver plates after skull surgery to prevent infection. The Greeks and Romans used silver containers to preserve liquids. American pioneers left silver dollars in water as a way of purifying it. Near the end of the nine19th century, silver was used to fill cavities and drops of silver nitrate were put in the eyes of newborns to prevent infection. After indications that colloidal silver was useful in purifying water, it was used experimentally to treat swimming pool water in the early 1970s.
Does it Work?
In 1973, the Allegeny County Healthy Department tested colloidal silver in a 150,000-gallon swimming pool that had been disinfected using 50 lb. of chlorine a day. Department officials circulated the pool water through a filter of activated carbon containing colloid silver through the 1974 and 1975 swimming seasons. Up to 50 daily samples during this period found that silver ions remained at a steady rate of 20 parts per billion. The Health Department concluded that colloid silver "is equal to chlorine in maintaining essentially coliform-free pool water, and is somewhat better than chlorine in destroying pseudomonas and staph aureus organism." There were no visible signs of algae in the water.
In 1976, 50 gallons of sewage was dumped into a 20,000-gallon swimming pool in Nebraska, producing 7,000 E. coli bacteria cells for each 1/2 cup of water. The contents of the swimming pool were disinfected by pumping it through a tank containing electrodes that produced colloidal silver. Three hours later, the pool was free of E. coli bacteria and contained only 3.2 parts of colloid silver for each billion parts of water, a safe level for humans.
Is it Safe?
Colloidal silver is used to disinfect water used by the International Space Station and the Russia's Mir Orbital station. NASA uses a standard of 100 parts colloidal silver per one billion parts of water. The standard for chlorine is 1,500 parts of chlorine per one billion parts of water.
Numerous airlines use colloidal silver to purify drinking water, including Air France, Alitalia, British Airways, Canadian Pacific Airlines, Japan Airlines, KLM and Pan Am. The Australian and Swiss government have approved colloidal silver purification for the water in homes, offices and towns.
The World Health Organization has approved two forms of colloidal silver to disinfect drinking water in developing countries. One is produced by the electrolysis of silver electrodes in water. The second uses colloidal silver in water filters.
Is it Legal?
It is legal to use colloidal silver in swimming pools, but state and local laws requiring the use of chlorine still apply. This effectively means that if you wish to use colloidal silver legally in your pool, you most likely have to use it to supplement chlorine.
Procedure
While it has been demonstrated that colloidal silver is effective in treating swimming pool water, there are no established or detailed regimens for adding colloidal silver to swimming pools as there are with chlorine.
Solutions of colloidal silver are routinely sold on the web. You can also purchase colloidal generators that produce colloidal silver through electrolysis on the web.
Warning
The legitimate use of colloidal silver to purify water has been overshadowed by extravagant medicinal claims made on its behalf by those touting its alternative health benefits. There are no known clinical studies attesting to these medicinal properties although studies are ongoing.
In 1999, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned claims that colloidal silver has any preventative or therapeutic medicinal value. It is now legally sold as a dietary supplement in the U.S.
In 2002, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration said the illegal availability of colloidal silver products for medicinal use is a significant public health issue.
Chronic intake of colloidal silver can result in particles of silver or silver sulfide in the skin. This condition, argyria, can result in a blue or gray discoloration of the skin. There is no known treatment of argyria.
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