What are the effects of silver on the human health?
Recent estimates of daily intake are about 7µg per person. Only a small percentage of silver is absorbed by the human body. Retention rates in humans and laboratory animals range between 0 and 10%. The only obvious sign of silver overload is argyria, a condition in which skin and hair are heavily discolored by silver in the tissues. However, the levels of silver intake that would cause this condition far exceed the limits set by government agencies. The low levels of silver in drinking-water, generally below 5mg/liter, are not relevant to human health with respect to argyria. (WHO)
How does silver kill pathogens?
The observed bactericidal kill efficacy of silver and its associated ions is through the strong binding with disulfide (S- S) and sulfhydryl (-SH) groups found in the proteins of microbial cell walls. Through this binding event, normal metabolic processes are disrupted, leading to cell death. Silver ions use three main mechanisms to control bacterial growth.
Remove hydrogen atoms from sulfhydryl groups (-SH) on bacteria and viruses. Sulphur atoms then join and block cellular respiration and electron transfer.?
Inhibit DNA replication by interfering with DNA unwinding.
Alter the bacterial membrane with enzyme mechanisms.
Which pathogens are killed by silver?
Lab tests show that silver kills many type of bacteria and viruses including E.coli. Please see this article for more information on Silver’s antimicrobial activity.
Does silver kill Algae?
Yes, studies show that silver is one of many algaecides. Colloidal silver is commonly used in pools to prevent algae growth. Some ion users use silver plates to produce silver ions in the water to prevent algae sprouting.
Does silver kill fungi?
Yes, the antimicrobial properties of silver and its salts have been discussed in various books and particular reference must be made to Grier’s review in 1983. Ag is usually used in the form of silver nitrate, is bacteriostptic or bactericidal, antifungal, protozoicidal and lethal to herpes simplex virus. However, bacterial spores, cysts of Entamoeba histolytica and mycobacteria are not killed by silver. (A.D. Russel, 1994).
Which waterborne bacteria are most dangerous to humans?
Some of the most common bacteria found in water are: Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli, Pathogenic Escherichia coli, different types of Salmonella, Vibrio cholerae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa among others. For a more complete list click here.
Which are the waterborne viruses most dangerous to humans?
Some of the most common viruses found in water are: Adenoviruses, Enteroviruses, and Rotavirus among others.
Does silver kill Cysts? If not, what does?
No, silver does not kill Cysts. Cysts are usually removed with a filtration membrane.
Is clean water safe water?
NO. Clean water is not necessarily safe. The clean water may look good, taste good and has no odor. However, it could well be contaminated with pathogens that may be carrying water borne diseases. Since these pathogens don’t change the taste or appearance of the water, it is easy to assume the water is safe when in reality it is not.
Is safe water clean water?
No, it is not. See the answer for #13 above.
Does Safe water taste good?
Yes, safe water may taste very good. But it could also taste very bad since it may have solids such as metals or sand, chemicals, etc.
What is H20′s technology called?
Solid Form Biocide, SFB
Why did H20 choose silver?
We would love to take credit for discovering that silver is a biocide but unfortunately we can’t! The use of silver as an “antimicrobial agent” is not new and has been utilized in various forms for thousands of years. Even Hippocrates, an ancient Greek physician known as the father of modern medicine, wrote that silver has beneficial, anti-disease properties. Over the past few decades it has been introduced into various new applications, including the treatment of water, medical uses such as bandages, as well as to reduce the smell of sweat in sports shirts and socks. (University of Surrey)
14- How does SFB function?
The observed bactericidal efficacy of silver and its associated ions is through the strong binding with disulfide (S- S) and sulfhydryl (-SH) groups found in the proteins of microbial cell walls. Through this binding event, normal metabolic processes are disrupted, leading to cell death.
Silver ions use three main mechanisms to control bacterial growth.
Remove hydrogen atoms from sulfhydryl groups (-SH) on bacteria and viruses.Sulphur atoms then join and block cellular respiration and electron transfer.
Inhibit DNA replication by interfering with DNA unwinding.
Alter the bacterial membrane with enzyme mechanisms.
Does SFB kill bacteria?
Current independent laboratory testing shows 6 log reduction of bacteria. The time, amount of SFB material and volume of water will affect the time it will take to kill 6logs of bacteria.
Does SFB kill viruses?
Current independent laboratory testing shows 6 log reduction of viruses. The time, amount of SFB material and volume of water will affect the time it will take to kill 6logs of viruses.
How long do H20′s SFB products take to create safe water?
It depends on the application, volume of water, whether the water is in motion, i.e. being transported or is still. The more motion the faster the kill and more effective the SFB performance is. For example, 5′ SFB ropes will create 20 liter safe water in just 30 minutes when water is being transported in a 20 liter container.
How does SFB create safe water?
SFB creates safe water by killing the pathogens that carry waterborne diseases.
Where can SFB products be used?
SFB products can be used in containers used to transport water such as Jerry cans, in containers to store water, in non disposable water bottles and in In-Line water purification systems.
Are SFB products reusable?
Yes, they are.
What is needed to reuse the SFB product?
To reuse SFB products, simple and inexpensive maintenance is needed. The procedure is to dip the SFB product in a light acidic solution for a short period of time. The period of time depends on the size/amount of SFB material. Typically it takes anywhere from 1-3 hours, again depending on the size of the SFB material.
To make the acidic solution, use the juice of 1 lemon, or 3 grams of vitamin C powder, or 4 tablespoons of vinegar per liter of water.
How long do SFB products last?
Life expectancy of SFB material depends on the amount of water that passes through the material. Typically it lasts for 2 years or having processed 12500 liters of water, whichever comes first.
What is Water-In-Transit (WIT)?
WIT is referred to the water that is collected at a water source which could be a well, river or lake and move to the home, Point-Of-Use (POU), in a container.
What is a Jerry can?
Jerry can is a 20 liter plastic container with a 1.5″ screw cap to keep the water from spilling. Below is a picture of a Jerry can.
What is a Hippo Roller?
A Hippo Roller is another container used to transport water from a water source to the POU. Below is a picture of a Hippo Roller.
What is gravity based water purification system?
Gravity based water purification systems are units that have 2 reservoirs, an upper and a lower reservoir. The contaminated or unpurified water is poured into the upper reservoir, then it flows through a purifying cartridge which houses the purification material/technology to then get collected in the lower reservoir. Typically these are cartridges have to be replaced every few 3-6 months. These units are usually placed on top of kitchen counters.
What is an in-line water purification system?
Same as gravity based systems as described in #24 above.
Why do developing countries need water storage solutions?
Water sources in developing countries are usually far from the POU, the home. Women and children sometimes have to walk for 3, 5 and even 8 hours a day to fetch water. They fetch enough water to last a day or two. When the water arrives home, it needs to be stored in a way that prevents bacteria and virus growth. Therefore, the need for water storage solutions is to prevent recontamination of the water once it is in the home.
How easy is access to clean safe water around the world?
Easy access to clean safe water is increasing around the world but especially in developing and under developed countries. In certain parts of the world, it takes women and children up to 8 hours a day to walk back and forth to fetch water.
Where is the Global South (GS)?
The GS is below the equator. Usually the GS is also identified by labeling the countries located in the GS as developing or under developed countries. However, even though Australia is in the GS, it is a developed country but is facing serious water shortage.
Where is the Global North (GN)?
The GN is above the equator. Typically countries that fall in the GN are labeled as developed countries. However, the southern part of the Asian continent, including India and Pakistan, are part of the developing countries with serious needs for safe water.
Is there water shortage in both GS and GN?
Yes, there is. However, the shortage in the GN is not nearly as severe as that in the GS.
What are the needs of the people in the GS?
More than anything, people in the GS need safe water. Of course it is desirable to have good tasting clean water and safe water. However, GS people are willing to sacrifice good tasting water for safe water.
What are the needs of the people in the GN?
Currently, it is fairly easy to have access to reasonably priced, good tasting safe water in the GN. People in the GN would like however, to continue having this convenient access to water and to eliminate waste from producing the water and the water products such as water bottles as part of the effort of being environmentally friendly.
What water products are most in need in the GS and how do people in the GS use them?
Water delivery infrastructure is lacking, and in some cases nonexistent, in most of the GS. Therefore, most relevant water products for the GS are containers to move water from the source to the point of use, and water storage.
What water products are most in need in the GN and how do people in the GN use them?
Water delivery systems are readily available in most of the GN. Therefore, what people in the GN seek is a water product that offers convenience and ones that have low environmental impact. Therefore, GN water products include products that are needed when the individual is on the move such as non disposable water bottle, backpack water reservoirs, thermoses for use during camping, in RVs, etc. However, there are millions of people in the GN that are not connected to the municipal water grid. This segment is called Off-Water-Grid (OWG) users. These people will need safe storage capabilities of water they draw from rivers, lakes and underground wells. In the USA alone, there are over 40 million people in this segment. If the people in Europe, Canada and Australia are counted, the number could reach 100-150 million.
How environmentally friendly is SFB?
SFB is the most environmentally friendly technology used to create safe water. The reasons are;
No electricity is needed for SFB to perform.
No chemical or additives are needed.
No waste is generated in producing SFB products.
SFB does not create waste after it is used because it is reusable.
Once it has reached the end of usability, the SFB product can be recycled.
SFB products promote the use of non disposable end user water products such as non disposable water bottles. This alone will help reduce and in some cases eliminate hazardous waste generated from producing such items as disposable water bottles, reducing the carbon foot print.
FAQs
Recent estimates of daily intake are about 7µg per person. Only a small percentage of silver is absorbed by the human body. Retention rates in humans and laboratory animals range between 0 and 10%. The only obvious sign of silver overload is argyria, a condition in which skin and hair are heavily discolored by silver in the tissues. However, the levels of silver intake that would cause this condition far exceed the limits set by government agencies. The low levels of silver in drinking-water, generally below 5mg/liter, are not relevant to human health with respect to argyria. (WHO)
The observed bactericidal kill efficacy of silver and its associated ions is through the strong binding with disulfide (S- S) and sulfhydryl (-SH) groups found in the proteins of microbial cell walls. Through this binding event, normal metabolic processes are disrupted, leading to cell death. Silver ions use three main mechanisms to control bacterial growth.
Lab tests show that silver kills many type of bacteria and viruses including E.coli. Please see this article for more information on Silver’s antimicrobial activity.
Yes, studies show that silver is one of many algaecides. Colloidal silver is commonly used in pools to prevent algae growth. Some ion users use silver plates to produce silver ions in the water to prevent algae sprouting.
Yes, the antimicrobial properties of silver and its salts have been discussed in various books and particular reference must be made to Grier’s review in 1983. Ag is usually used in the form of silver nitrate, is bacteriostptic or bactericidal, antifungal, protozoicidal and lethal to herpes simplex virus. However, bacterial spores, cysts of Entamoeba histolytica and mycobacteria are not killed by silver. (A.D. Russel, 1994).
Some of the most common bacteria found in water are: Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli, Pathogenic Escherichia coli, different types of Salmonella, Vibrio cholerae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa among others. For a more complete list click here.
Some of the most common viruses found in water are: Adenoviruses, Enteroviruses, and Rotavirus among others.
No, silver does not kill Cysts. Cysts are usually removed with a filtration membrane.
NO. Clean water is not necessarily safe. The clean water may look good, taste good and has no odor. However, it could well be contaminated with pathogens that may be carrying water borne diseases. Since these pathogens don’t change the taste or appearance of the water, it is easy to assume the water is safe when in reality it is not.
No, it is not. See the answer for #13 above.
Yes, safe water may taste very good. But it could also taste very bad since it may have solids such as metals or sand, chemicals, etc.
Solid Form Biocide, SFB
We would love to take credit for discovering that silver is a biocide but unfortunately we can’t! The use of silver as an “antimicrobial agent” is not new and has been utilized in various forms for thousands of years. Even Hippocrates, an ancient Greek physician known as the father of modern medicine, wrote that silver has beneficial, anti-disease properties. Over the past few decades it has been introduced into various new applications, including the treatment of water, medical uses such as bandages, as well as to reduce the smell of sweat in sports shirts and socks. (University of Surrey)
The observed bactericidal efficacy of silver and its associated ions is through the strong binding with disulfide (S- S) and sulfhydryl (-SH) groups found in the proteins of microbial cell walls. Through this binding event, normal metabolic processes are disrupted, leading to cell death.
Silver ions use three main mechanisms to control bacterial growth.
Current independent laboratory testing shows 6 log reduction of bacteria. The time, amount of SFB material and volume of water will affect the time it will take to kill 6logs of bacteria.
Current independent laboratory testing shows 6 log reduction of viruses. The time, amount of SFB material and volume of water will affect the time it will take to kill 6logs of viruses.
It depends on the application, volume of water, whether the water is in motion, i.e. being transported or is still. The more motion the faster the kill and more effective the SFB performance is. For example, 5′ SFB ropes will create 20 liter safe water in just 30 minutes when water is being transported in a 20 liter container.
SFB creates safe water by killing the pathogens that carry waterborne diseases.
SFB products can be used in containers used to transport water such as Jerry cans, in containers to store water, in non disposable water bottles and in In-Line water purification systems.
Yes, they are.
To reuse SFB products, simple and inexpensive maintenance is needed. The procedure is to dip the SFB product in a light acidic solution for a short period of time. The period of time depends on the size/amount of SFB material. Typically it takes anywhere from 1-3 hours, again depending on the size of the SFB material.
To make the acidic solution, use the juice of 1 lemon, or 3 grams of vitamin C powder, or 4 tablespoons of vinegar per liter of water.
Life expectancy of SFB material depends on the amount of water that passes through the material. Typically it lasts for 2 years or having processed 12500 liters of water, whichever comes first.
WIT is referred to the water that is collected at a water source which could be a well, river or lake and move to the home, Point-Of-Use (POU), in a container.
Jerry can is a 20 liter plastic container with a 1.5″ screw cap to keep the water from spilling. Below is a picture of a Jerry can.
A Hippo Roller is another container used to transport water from a water source to the POU. Below is a picture of a Hippo Roller.
Gravity based water purification systems are units that have 2 reservoirs, an upper and a lower reservoir. The contaminated or unpurified water is poured into the upper reservoir, then it flows through a purifying cartridge which houses the purification material/technology to then get collected in the lower reservoir. Typically these are cartridges have to be replaced every few 3-6 months. These units are usually placed on top of kitchen counters.
Same as gravity based systems as described in #24 above.
Water sources in developing countries are usually far from the POU, the home. Women and children sometimes have to walk for 3, 5 and even 8 hours a day to fetch water. They fetch enough water to last a day or two. When the water arrives home, it needs to be stored in a way that prevents bacteria and virus growth. Therefore, the need for water storage solutions is to prevent recontamination of the water once it is in the home.
Easy access to clean safe water is increasing around the world but especially in developing and under developed countries. In certain parts of the world, it takes women and children up to 8 hours a day to walk back and forth to fetch water.
The GS is below the equator. Usually the GS is also identified by labeling the countries located in the GS as developing or under developed countries. However, even though Australia is in the GS, it is a developed country but is facing serious water shortage.
The GN is above the equator. Typically countries that fall in the GN are labeled as developed countries. However, the southern part of the Asian continent, including India and Pakistan, are part of the developing countries with serious needs for safe water.
Yes, there is. However, the shortage in the GN is not nearly as severe as that in the GS.
More than anything, people in the GS need safe water. Of course it is desirable to have good tasting clean water and safe water. However, GS people are willing to sacrifice good tasting water for safe water.
Currently, it is fairly easy to have access to reasonably priced, good tasting safe water in the GN. People in the GN would like however, to continue having this convenient access to water and to eliminate waste from producing the water and the water products such as water bottles as part of the effort of being environmentally friendly.
Water delivery infrastructure is lacking, and in some cases nonexistent, in most of the GS. Therefore, most relevant water products for the GS are containers to move water from the source to the point of use, and water storage.
Water delivery systems are readily available in most of the GN. Therefore, what people in the GN seek is a water product that offers convenience and ones that have low environmental impact. Therefore, GN water products include products that are needed when the individual is on the move such as non disposable water bottle, backpack water reservoirs, thermoses for use during camping, in RVs, etc. However, there are millions of people in the GN that are not connected to the municipal water grid. This segment is called Off-Water-Grid (OWG) users. These people will need safe storage capabilities of water they draw from rivers, lakes and underground wells. In the USA alone, there are over 40 million people in this segment. If the people in Europe, Canada and Australia are counted, the number could reach 100-150 million.
SFB is the most environmentally friendly technology used to create safe water. The reasons are;