One of the most controversial areas of
research regarding colloidal silver / silver mineral water, is
regarding toxicity relative to biological systems. This is an area of
research that should be given proper attention. To date this is an
issue that does not seem to have been given the proper attention it is
due. This article addresses this issue from a hypothetical /
analytical / theoretical perspective.
Based on material from the historic
record, and deductive reasoning, if one takes into account the number
of people who allegedly have used various forms of silver mineral
water, why aren't there significant numbers of reports of adverse
effects if they commonly exist?
If large numbers of people have or may
still be using colloidal silver / silver mineral water, and there is
significant risk involved in such use, why aren't there many reported
incidents of adverse effects / reactions resulting from use or
overuse? Logic dictates that if millions of people have used such
preparations for extended periods of time, perhaps since the 1970s,
then there should be numerous documented reports of such incidents if
they are common.
Common sense dictates that; proper
research should include documentation regarding how a particular
silver preparation being tested was manufactured. Comparisons should
be done to establish differences between different forms, so that
results regarding one form are not confused between it and another
form. A form that is not bound with a protein (a mild silver protein)
or other compound (s), should be recognized as different from other
forms; such as silver self suspended in water in a colloidal like
state, identified as: ( silver mineral water). Each form should be
looked at separately from other forms of silver preparations without
bias regarding professional research concerning this issue.
The reason "Silver Mineral Water", is
also called "Colloidal Silver" even if it is a misnomer, most likely
occurred simply because the name first used stuck. The term colloidal
silver, is commonly applied to all solutions, gels, compounds etc.
that are in a liquid or semi liquid state and containing some form of
silver. Though this may not be scientifically accurate, the title
colloidal silver is often used. The name colloidal silver apparently
was applied to all forms of silver preparations in an effort to
describe the reason why it stayed evenly suspended in the liquid
without falling out of solution to the bottom of the container.
Although the feature of silver being self suspended in an colloidal
like state may be similar to other forms of silver preparations, that
should be where the similarity to it and other forms of so called
silver colloids ends, if proper consideration by the professional
researcher is applied.
Silver self suspended in water would be
expected to have attributes with regard to toxicity, that are quite
different than other forms. Silver preparations that bind the silver
to another substance, such as a colloidal gel or protein, silver
compounds or silver salts, should be properly identified and isolated
with regard to statements made in research conducted and documented.
Argyria is a condition described as a
permanent Grey discoloration of the skin. Individuals who have
reportedly been effected by this condition seem to represent a few
unfortunate incidents. The most notable among such instances were
reportedly caused by medical use of silver nitrate, compounds or
protein mixtures. Nitrates, compounds and similar formulations would
be expected to cause such a condition. For example it is known that
forms of silver nitrate will stain anything it comes into contact
with, it would not be a surprise from a scientific perspective that
such substances would cause argyria. What is hard to imagine is why
such a substance would be used on people knowing it would likely cause
such a condition.
At the time of this writing, I am not
aware of incidents involving silver mineral water having been proved
to cause argyria. That said, this does not mean that no such incidents
have been alleged, reported or recorded. If you know of documented
cases we are interested in knowing about them, and would appreciate
getting a copy of such documented cases if available.
Recommended daily allowances have been established for other
minerals. For example; safe and effective amounts have been
established for Iron. It is also known that although when used in
recommended amounts it is safe, exceeding these amounts can not only
be harmful but even fatal. For example; "Iron supplement poisoning is
the leading cause of poisoning death among children under the age of
6" as stated here:
http://jhhs.client.web-health.com/web-health/topics/ChildrensHealth/childrenshealth/iron.html
Even though such severe health risks are in evidence regarding iron
supplements, iron supplements are widely used and considered safe in
recommended amounts. For example: the average daily allowance for iron
is 15 mg a day for females between the ages of 11 and 50. There is10
mg of silver present in a 10 PPM solution of silver, one would have to
consume 1.5 liters of a 10 PPM silver solution in order to ingest 15
mg. That may explain why research considerations regarding the
ingestion of teaspoon size amounts of 10 PPM silver mineral water are
commonly relegated to the field of homeopathy, since the total intake
in such cases amounts to fractions of a mg.
The point is that even for already identified safe and effective
minerals, some also come with serious safety considerations. What is
puzzling is that silver seems to be ostracized from consideration for
an RDA. There does not seem to be interest in establishing potential
benefit, even though there does not seem to be documentation of
serious risk. Even though silver does not appear to be as serious a
health risk as iron is, and in spite of the fact that many people seem
to believe they derive benefit from its use, it seems that for reasons
left to speculation, silver does not appear to be up for serious
consideration as a potential health benefit. If current trends
regarding silver are used as a gauge I would not expect an RDA to be
established any time soon. But that does not mean that serious
research that may prove benefit is not being conducted by qualified
entities.
There are those who claim that any amount of so called colloidal
silver is; risk without benefit. There are also those who believe that
using any amount provides benefit without risk. Common sense dictates
that the truth once established, is more likely to be found somewhere
between these two diametrically opposed perspectives. Only proper
research conducted by qualified entities, who address all issues
concerned without bias may the truths of the matter be properly
established .
The term Argyria, is identified as a
condition of a bluish gray color of the skin, and Argosies the bluing
of the eye white that is permanent.
There are some
researchers who indicate that the risk regarding this issue is not
properly understood nor presented. Dr. M. Paul Farber contended that
the issue of Argyria was misrepresented and misunderstood, as
evidenced by this quote from the book "The Micro Silver Bullet?" by
Dr. M. Paul Farber 1996 page XII (ISBN 1-887742-00-X)
In reference to a "Journal of American Medical Association, article,
October 18 1995, volume 274 # 15," where cases of Argyria were
reportedly cited to have been caused by silver compounds (not
colloidal silver).
"These Case history presentations represent biased and unprofessional
writing. The author's apparent inability to understand the difference
between a silver nitrate, sulfide, or other silver compound
demonstrates their lack of understanding basic chemical properties.
The matrix, substrate, and particle size are all critical to the
varied functions and reactions with use of these products." (End
quote)
(Further on the same page)
"That is why there has not been a single case of Argyria from a
properly manufactured modern day colloidal sliver product. The cases
of Argyria reported in the 1920's and 1930's resulted because the
technology of the day was unable to produce a colloidal silver product
with a small enough particle size." (End Quote)
(additionally on
the same page)
"The diameter of
the capillary lumen is 4-9 microns. Therefore the body has no problem
in excreting the silver particles." ( End quote)
Reference: "The
Micro Silver bullet?" by Dr. M. Paul Farber 1996 page XII (ISBN
1-887742-00-X)
The reported cases
of argyria usually referenced from the early 1900's that are commonly
sited , generally involve extremely high and frequent doses of silver
salts/compounds such as Silver sulfate, silver nitrate or silver
chloride. Doses given in those times may have been hundreds or even
thousands of times higher than the amounts consumed in current times.
The attributes of older preparations were also quite different when
compared to products produced using current technology. Therefore; It
is important that these points are given proper consideration when
doing a literary review of the subject.
Current technology
applied to dispersing silver into water, ideally creates nano clusters
of silver, a nano cluster is a group of atoms, much smaller than a
micron. Not all processes are sensitive to keeping a consistently
small nano cluster / particle size. In theory it is important to have
consistently small particle size if consistent results are to be
achieved. Small particle size is also expected to minimize the issue
of toxicity.
During the last
several years different approaches to dispersing silver into a
colloidal like state have been developed, the preliminary testing of
these new approaches has reportedly yielded very interesting results.
Are there practical applications for colloidal silver?
How about inexpensive water filtration?
POTTERS
FOR PEACE
Here are several links regarding research and toxicity in the
public domain that may also be useful.
Chronic toxicity data by
U.S. EPA.
The EPA regarding web site:
"Reach for life colloidal silver information:
http://reach-for-life.com/prodinfo/colsil_iris.htm
Toxicity Summary for SILVER
Risk Assessment Information
System (RAIS)
http://risk.lsd.ornl.gov/tox/profiles/silver_f_V1.shtml
Guidelines for drinking
water quality
Extracted from: Guidelines
for drinking-water quality, 2nd ed.
Vol. 2. Health criteria and other supporting information.
Geneva, World Health Organization, 1996. pp. 338-343.
http://who.int/water_sanitation_health/GDWQ/Chemicals/silverfull.htm
In closing, all readers should note that this is a hypothetical /
analytical / theoretical overview, it is presented for educational
purposes only! No claims are made nor implied, with regard to the use
of colloidal silver / silver mineral water for medical conditions.
Colloidal silver is regulated by the FDA and is not approved as an OTC
(over the counter) drug by the FDA. There is no RDA (Recommended Daily
Allowance) established, nor is the need, role or safety regarding
nutritional use established clinically / scientifically. Therefore; we
are not implying nor recommending such use, nor, that anyone self
diagnose and treat their own illness using silver or other minerals
dispersed into water using the Colloid Silver Master or by any other means.
For information regarding potential uses, areas of interest,
regulation and related documents please click the "Research" link at
the top of this page.
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Different Forms Of
Colloidal Silver
