The Power of Silver

The Power of Silver

Love your clothes?...but hate the odour your body creates after perspiring in them? Hello Silver! Fibre manufacturers are infusing this special element into synthetics in which are combined into the polymer and made into yarns (a form of nanotechnology) or coated onto the yarns. You ask, how will this help? Well, according to an article in Fibre 2 Fashion, Dr. Naresh Tondare states that Nano-technology made it possible to expand the surface area of Silver particles markedly. The antimicrobial activity of Silver ions on fabrics has many technical applications in the medical, hygiene, protection, sport and industrial markets. In combination of Nano-silver and textile, Nano-silver provides an anti-microbial protection and textile acts as an external barrier, meaning it keeps odour to a minimum and inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi caused by perspiration. A recent survey of 2,000 US adults, aged between 18 and 64, conducted by Taylor Nelson Sofres Inc, revealed that over 51% of the responding male consumers are willing to pay more for clothing and textiles manufactured with freshness-enhancing treatments. The freshness-treated garments that the male respondents would be most interested in purchasing are socks (definitely), t-shirts and woven tops, as well as pants. Other textiles would include bed linens and bath towels. Among female respondents, 45% said that they would be willing to pay more for treated clothing and textiles. The strongest purchasing preferences were toward freshness-treated bed linens, towels, shirts and tops.
Not only does this Silver-based agent provide excellent durable, antimicrobial properties, it also presents a long-lasting, wash-resistant, silver textile! It’s able to imbed itself in fibres or yarns of any source for utilizations within fabrics such as, natural fibres (cotton, wool, ramie, hemp and linen), synthetic fibres (polyesters, polyamides, acetates, rayon, acrylics etc.), and inorganic fibres (fibreglass, boron fibres). The fabric may be constructed as a knit, woven or non-woven form. Finishes such as resins, prints, dyes etc. may also be used.

Kanebo a Japanese textile manufacturer, whom was mentioned by the author, Bradley Quinn’s novel Techno Fashion, had developed a ‘Biosafe’, a nylon filament yarn embedded with microscopic ceramic spheres (chemically bound to the fibres) that release a constant stream of Silver ions, in which we know, has a powerful antibacterial effect. The Japanese textile industry seems to be known to leading the world in its revolutionary approach to materials and weaving. Their textile artists and designers are combining traditional techniques with modern industrial methods to create new designs and increased functions in interior and fashion textiles.

Although we see that these Silver particles do reveal to have a positive outtake on textiles, what happens to these particles once they’ve reached our water system and into our bodies? According to an article from The Medical News, it states that the most common problem associated with Silver exposure is argyria. Argyria is when the skin turns a bluish grey as granules of Silver accumulate in the body. The conjunctiva (the membrane that covers the eyes) and internal organs may also be affected. Once Silver has been ingested, there’s no way to get it out, so the discoloration may be permanent. For example, a 59-year-old man was sent to the emergency room because he looked blue, which indicated that you’re not getting enough oxygen. It turned out that he’d been taking a homemade version of colloid Silver, which is a solution of microscopic Silver particles that is used as an internal medication to treat a variety of diseases. He would take this solution whenever he felt a cold coming!

Doctors generally agree that Silver particles are safe in small amounts, but harmful in large doses. There are already about 350 mcg of Silver typically found in the food and water that we consume on a daily basis, which is considered safe. With extremely high doses of Silver, Neurological damage can occur. Symptoms damage varies and may include anxiety, impulsiveness, irritability, double vision, depression, headaches, loss of memory and seizures.

Too much colloidal Silver in the diet may also cause Atherosclerosis. This is a disease that affects the major blood vessels in the body; it is often referred to as hardening of the arteries. It is typified by fat streaks lining the vessel walls, as well as by deposits of cholesterol and calcium inside the vessels. This can lead to a heart attack, heart failure and stroke.

However, no one is completely sure how much Silver is considered toxic. As little as 10mg of colloid Silver has been fatal in some people.