My suspicion is that the bandages make use of nanotechnology, specifically silver nanoparticles. They take advantage of the antimicrobial properties of silver and the novel properties that being nanoparticles permits - specifically, silver's incorporation into materials like bandages, dialysis catheters, clothing, food storage containers, etc.
While this is exciting, nanoparticles often behave very differently than the macro- versions (that's why they're used). While silver nanoparticles appear to be more beneficially cytotoxic than "macro" silver, they also may be particularly toxic in other ways - to humans, animals, and the environment.
As for the Samsung washing machine, this was the first consumer product that finally got the EPA's attention because it began advertising the ability of its nanotechnology to kill 99% of bacteria in the laundry. It then fell under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Interestingly, meanwhile, Sharper Image abruptly removed all bacteria-killing claims from advertisements for its "FresherLonger" food storage containers that use silver nanoparticles.
Are you aware that silver nanoparticles can be found in hundreds (that we know of so far since there is no product registration or labeling requirements) of products - from toothpaste to make-up to clothing to sunscreen?
The problem is the lack of industry oversight and loopholes in existing regulations. It's an issue when the government fails to distinguish between something made from "macro" silver and something incorporating silver nanoparticles given their very different behavior.
This is not a conspiracy theory, mind you. I did a lengthy report on this topic for my public health class. It was somewhat disturbing to find out just how little anybody knows about the human and environmental risks to these products.
Silver is a staunch ally in the fight against infections, particularly among burn patients, but the widespread use of it in consumer and healthcare products without an examination of the risks should give us all a little pause.
While this is exciting, nanoparticles often behave very differently than the macro- versions (that's why they're used). While silver nanoparticles appear to be more beneficially cytotoxic than "macro" silver, they also may be particularly toxic in other ways - to humans, animals, and the environment.
As for the Samsung washing machine, this was the first consumer product that finally got the EPA's attention because it began advertising the ability of its nanotechnology to kill 99% of bacteria in the laundry. It then fell under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Interestingly, meanwhile, Sharper Image abruptly removed all bacteria-killing claims from advertisements for its "FresherLonger" food storage containers that use silver nanoparticles.
Are you aware that silver nanoparticles can be found in hundreds (that we know of so far since there is no product registration or labeling requirements) of products - from toothpaste to make-up to clothing to sunscreen?
The problem is the lack of industry oversight and loopholes in existing regulations. It's an issue when the government fails to distinguish between something made from "macro" silver and something incorporating silver nanoparticles given their very different behavior.
This is not a conspiracy theory, mind you. I did a lengthy report on this topic for my public health class. It was somewhat disturbing to find out just how little anybody knows about the human and environmental risks to these products.
Silver is a staunch ally in the fight against infections, particularly among burn patients, but the widespread use of it in consumer and healthcare products without an examination of the risks should give us all a little pause.
Silver nitrate eye drops used to be used to prevent eye infections in newborns. Erythromycin is more commonly used today because silver nitrate is quite irritating.
ponderingturtle
Orthogonal Vector
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2006
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- 54,545
As long as you define turning blue as not harm, you are more or less correct.
Just think of it as a way to end racism. WHen everyone is blue or gray think of what that will do to racism.
"None of the above" should be a valid choice on all ballot papers in my opinion. Instead, in the UK, any paper which does not show an unambiguous vote for a single candidate is officially reported as "spoiled".
Seems to me election authorities are throwing away the chance to collect some useful information at almost no cost. Now why would they do that...?
Re silver- There are a few companies selling silver impregnated underwear in the UK.
It's supposed to kill bacteria and so not smell if you can't change on long journeys.
I smell a gimmick, I think.
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ChristineR
Illuminator
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2006
- Messages
- 3,180
I've got Silvadine rubbed into my left nipple right now. Prescription only, real MD. Silver is completely legit. The traditional use of silver tableware even helped to kill germs in food. Got nothing to do with the colloidal silver people.
*Rolls on floor waving legs in air*
She said "nipple!" call the mods!
Calls for evidences will result in banning.
ChristineR
Illuminator
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I have pictures.
ReligionStudent
Knitter
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David Rodale
Muse
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Until I have enough posts, linking will not be possible. At that time I will submit scanned lab reports from Johns Hopkins, Catholic University, Georgetown University, Harvard Medical and BYU to name a few. BYU did a study comparing a colloidal silver solution to abx. It is still available for those willing to search.
So, as I understand it, what some are saying is colloidal silver has no efficacy? Correct?
I see the only quote about Stephen Barrett is favorable. Please cite references to any achievements throughout his lifetime deserving of any title of "expert" in anything. What are his qualifications? Thank you.
Deaths caused by approved pharmaceutical drugs exceed 100,000 per year. How many deaths have been attributed to colloidal silver? Eleven cases of argyria are listed on Quackwatch. I'd say that isn't cause for alarm, wouldn't you agree? Do you fully understand what argyria really is and what causes it? It's doubtful. Where are all the blue people?
That isn't to say I am against life saving drugs when the need calls, however to believe drugs are the only cure is both inaccurate and a sign of ignorance.
Modern methods and technological breakthroughs in producing various silver solutions, impregnated materials et al have greatly improved silver for medical use in recent decades. It is leap years ahead of the early usage of silver in the fight against infection.
There are many uses for colloidal silver used by physicians and lay people. Eye/ear infections, IV use for blood borne infections, topical applications etc. all have documented clinical use. And yes, silver is effective against many lethal bacteria and virii that even the most powerful abx are helpless.
My apologizes for appearing combative; no intention of being so. Based on a quick count in several threads the consensus seems to be colloidal silver is all "woo", which I'd assume is a synonym for BS. With exception of a few, most responses were well written, thanks.
For Katana, as you are a nurse, you would be quite familiar with nosocomial infections, yes? MRSA, VRE? Would it be believable or have you heard of certain hospitals using CS or other agents to combat these life threatening infections? Whether it is believed or not, there are hospitals and doctors treating patients outside the orthodoxy; it just isn't publicized. Laugh as some may, grapefruit seed extract is strong as bleach, yet non-toxic and will kill Staph A at 2-6 ppm. It saved my father's life.
So, as I understand it, what some are saying is colloidal silver has no efficacy? Correct?
I see the only quote about Stephen Barrett is favorable. Please cite references to any achievements throughout his lifetime deserving of any title of "expert" in anything. What are his qualifications? Thank you.
Deaths caused by approved pharmaceutical drugs exceed 100,000 per year. How many deaths have been attributed to colloidal silver? Eleven cases of argyria are listed on Quackwatch. I'd say that isn't cause for alarm, wouldn't you agree? Do you fully understand what argyria really is and what causes it? It's doubtful. Where are all the blue people?
That isn't to say I am against life saving drugs when the need calls, however to believe drugs are the only cure is both inaccurate and a sign of ignorance.
Modern methods and technological breakthroughs in producing various silver solutions, impregnated materials et al have greatly improved silver for medical use in recent decades. It is leap years ahead of the early usage of silver in the fight against infection.
There are many uses for colloidal silver used by physicians and lay people. Eye/ear infections, IV use for blood borne infections, topical applications etc. all have documented clinical use. And yes, silver is effective against many lethal bacteria and virii that even the most powerful abx are helpless.
My apologizes for appearing combative; no intention of being so. Based on a quick count in several threads the consensus seems to be colloidal silver is all "woo", which I'd assume is a synonym for BS. With exception of a few, most responses were well written, thanks.
For Katana, as you are a nurse, you would be quite familiar with nosocomial infections, yes? MRSA, VRE? Would it be believable or have you heard of certain hospitals using CS or other agents to combat these life threatening infections? Whether it is believed or not, there are hospitals and doctors treating patients outside the orthodoxy; it just isn't publicized. Laugh as some may, grapefruit seed extract is strong as bleach, yet non-toxic and will kill Staph A at 2-6 ppm. It saved my father's life.
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I'm a trusted member of this forum. If you were to PM me these, er, alleged 'pictures', I would duely inform everybody here that indeed you have nipples, and that you do have one or more them pierced, and you are indeed rubbing into them...
ahem
Athon
What some people are saying is that the evidence seems scant. I'm more than willing to have a look at it, as the use of silver as an antimicrobial agent seems to be rather wide spread and I've not had cause to question it one way or another.
However, I do know that some studies throw in doubt the use of colloidal silver, such as (I apologise as it is only an abstract, however it indicates the conclusion): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...t_uids=8632503&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum
Which concludes-
It's a balance of evidence. It won't overturn any great foundations of science if demonstrated to be effective, but to give it my support I'd need to have some evidence.
My, some hang-up you have on this guy. If you disagree with his points, give reason. I know you're new here and maybe nobody has ever explained what 'ad hominem' and 'appeal to authority' means in terms of being a logical fallacy. His qualifications or whatever issues you feel he you have with his past behaviours play no role in his points regarding the effectiveness of colloidal silver in medication. List his points and refute them, by all means. But by attacking the author in deference to his argument, you're only making your own argument look weak.
Irrelevant to the claim of its effectiveness. This is a 'straw man' argument, where you misrepresent the claim in an effort to burn it down, looking as if you have succeeded in your argument.
Again, remember that I've got no strong argument either way (hell, at this point I'd probably be prepared to see that colloidal silver is effective); however your argument is leaning towards relying on a few logical fallacies.
So it seems.
If you wish to post links, do so without the www part and somebody here will relink it for you.
Please don't take my points the wrong way; you might well have a good argument, but to make it you do have to be careful you don't fall into the old fallacy traps.
Athon
I'm wondering if you could provide a reference for your statement that colloidal silver is used intravenously in the treatment of blood-borne infections. I haven't heard of that.
ChristineR
Illuminator
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2006
- Messages
- 3,180
I'm a trusted member of this forum. If you were to PM me these, er, alleged 'pictures', I would duely inform everybody here that indeed you have nipples, and that you do have one or more them pierced, and you are indeed rubbing into them...
ahem
Athon
They're not exactly pierced. The Silvadene is covering a spot where the skin was ripped off by surgical tape (Steri-strips). The skin was already stressed due to being stretched and probably losing blood supply also.
Right now the raw spot is down to 6 mm by 12 mm and most of the separation is covered with thin purple skin. The nurse certainly got all excited when she saw it.
I suggest another approach. There are thousands of articles by Dr. Barrett, and others, at Q-watch. Review some and show us how he is substantially incorrect.
That is a totally pointless comparison. I don't even know where to begin to explain it to you. Maybe you could join the debate club at your high school.
I will say that the reason we know about medical mistakes is because the profession is working to identify them and reduce their number. In contrast, the supplement industry fought hard to sell ephedra even after they knew it was causing (sometimes lethal) heart attacks, and strokes.
No, a small number of cases is cause for alarm (you foolishly seem to think Q-watch has a complete list). Just one bad result from uselessly ingesting a substance is too many.
I'm going to ask for some evidence for this one. How exactly does the grapefruit know that it should kill things like Staph but not human cells? The reason bleach is toxic is because it kills everything. What do you mean by "as strong as bleach"? Do you mean it kills everything, in which case it certainly would be toxic? Or do you just mean it kills some things as effectively, in which case it would simply be another antibiotic? Either way, can you back this statement up?
Ryan O'Dine
OD’ing on Damitol
I think this is what you are referring to?
That is an in vitro study. We already know that in vitro effects do not tell us whether or not a substance will be safe or effective in vivo. If you are referring to something else, it is easy to get around the link prohibition by substituting "xxx" for the "www" or by adding spaces.
I think that what is being said is that some of the claims are unsupported.
His work at Quackwatch speaks for itself. He has the background knowledge and experience (as a phsyician) necessary to understand the science behind therapeutic modalities. And it is clear from his writings that he has made an extensive effort to inform himself of the details of the items he writes about, plus the relevant legislative issues. His articles are balanced, well-researched and well-referenced, making it relatively easy for anyone (with sufficient knowledge) to evaluate the evidence for themselves. His work is invaluable as a resource for patients and physicians alike, and I have great respect and appreciation for him for dedicating himself to providing this information for us to use. I have come to this opinion because some of this is my area of expertise and I can independently evaluate the quality of the information.
What is of more interest is avoidable death, since we ultimately cannot prevent people from dying, nor cure all illness. The majority of the deaths from approved pharmaceutical drugs are not avoidable, as the person would also have died in the absence of the drug from whatever illness the drug was attempting to treat. For example, some people die from the effects of chemotherapeutic drugs, but in the absence of the drug they would have died from the cancer the drug was attempting to kill. And physicians/health care providers and pharmaceutical companies are interested in finding and implementing measures to decrease the possibility of avoidable death.
Without evidence of benefit, a death from colloidal silver would be considered an avoidable death. It is unlikely that all cases are known, but even a small number should be of concern when they are unnecessary.
I think that is a strawman. I don't know of anyone who is actually operating within the field of medicine that thinks that drugs are the only cure.
Yes, there is ongoing research in the use of silver, and effective applications have been found. I don't think anyone would dispute that which is based on evidence.
Do you have a reference for IV use for blood borne infections?
Linda