Antimicrobial Coating

Silver ions used as antimicrobial coating agent inhibit the growth of microbes.  Silver ions and silver compounds in the antimicrobial coating have a toxic effect on bacteria, molds, algae, fungi, and viruses just like heavy metals such as mercury and lead but without the high toxic effect to humans that is normally associated with these other metals.

The father of medicine himself, Hippocrates, wrote on the healing power of silver as well as its disease fighting capability.   The Phoenicians used to store water and other liquids in silver containers to prevent them from spoiling.  Sailors on long ocean journeys also employed this technique.  While moving from one coast to another, the Pioneers of America also took advantage of that same knowledge in keeping water and wine safe to drink.  In the early 1900's, to prolong the freshness of milk, people would place silver dollars in milk bottles and containers.  This was also the reason why utensils such as spoon, forks, and knives are made of silver and that is because of its germicidal effect.

Before the use of antibiotics, silver became of common use to prevent infection in World War I.  Silver nitrate solution was used but was then replaced by silver sulfadiazine cream which later became the "standard" treatment when it comes to antibacterial treatment for serious burns (which by the way was very prevalent in the war) until the late 1990's.  Soon, silver containing dressings were available to the public, which has usage in supplementing the silver sulfadiazine cream.

Although the use of silver and other silver compounds went out of fashion with the development of antibiotics, there are ongoing studies and researches on silver used as a broad-spectrum antibiotic.  In 2007, the company "AG Flat Glass Europe" introduced the first antimicrobial glass, used in hospitals to help contain infectious diseases.  Thin layers of silver are part of the coatings of these glasses. In addition, companies like Samsung, introduced washing machines wherein the final rinse contained silver ions to give clothes several days of antimicrobial coating protection.  Kohler, introduced toilet seats with silver antimicrobial coating to eliminate germs.  Moreover, the Food and Drug Administration of the United States approved the use of endotracheal breathing tubes with a fine antimicrobial coating of silver after studies showed that doing such could lower the risk for pneumonia in patients with mechanical ventilators.                

Silver ions and silver compounds in clothing inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi.  It minimizes odor formation and reduces the risk for infection from bacteria and fungi commonly found on clothes.  The use of silver and in conjunction with moisture movement (also known as wicking) has the effect of lowering the hazards of wearing the clothing for so long in active and humid conditions, a condition wherein growth and proliferation is ideal for bacteria and fungi.

Silver in clothing comes in two forms: (1) a form of nanotechnology wherein silver ions mixed into the polymer form yarns; and (2) a form of silver physically coated unto the yarns.  In both forms of integrating silver into clothing, both prevent growth and proliferation of broad-spectrum bacteria and fungi.