We’ve all heard the terms bacteria and viruses, their names immediately drawing to mind sick days and hospital beds full of individuals fighting an infection.

Knowing of the ill effects these pathogens cause to our health, it’s no wonder that society is now looking for new ways to prevent their transmission. Silver ion technology, in particular, is emerging as a way to prevent infection without requiring any extra effort from you.

What is Silver Ion Technology?

Silver Ion (Ag+) technology distributes silver ions evenly throughout a glass matrix. These ions are active, which allows them to penetrate bacterial membranes and disrupt the growth of microorganisms.

Silver ion technology can be incorporated into various materials, including coatings, polymers, textiles, and more, offering antimicrobial and antiviral protection on surfaces that can serve as a breeding ground for infection.

In fact, the primary appeal of silver ion technology is its ability to prevent the formation of a biofilm. Biofilms are communities of microorganisms known for being considerably less sensitive to disinfectants, making it harder to remove these bacteria once they have already set in. However, silver ion technology can help prevent biofilm formation while also keeping infection growth to a minimum. This makes it especially appealing for high-touch surfaces such as cell phones and door handles.

How Silver Ion Technology Stops the Growth of Infection

There are four primary processes by which silver ion technology exhibits its antimicrobial and antiviral properties.

Damages Protein

Protein is an essential part of survival for all biological systems, and silver ion causes damage to the proteins of microorganisms. By damaging their proteins, the microorganisms cannot perform crucial functions, keeping them from growing and replicating.

Damages The Cell Membrane

Silver ion technology also damages the microorganism’s cell membrane, allowing nutrients to leak out. As the cell membrane is further damaged, it can burst, killing the cell.

Incites Oxidative Damage

Microorganisms respond to silver ions in their cells with increasing levels of reactive oxygen. However, this then causes internal damage.

Interferes with DNA Copying

A key component for all infection types is the copying of genetic material, but silver ion technology blocks this action. With this effect, the cell or virus cannot replicate, and their growth is halted.

Silver Ion Technology: Stopping Infections One Surface at a Time

When it comes to stopping infections, one point of concern is microorganisms lingering on surfaces, which can then be transferred to someone else with a simple touch. Disinfectants are effective at cleaning these high-touch surfaces, but they must be used continuously to achieve the level of cleanliness deemed safe.

In fact, established criteria state that high-touch surfaces must not exceed 250 colony-forming units of microbes per one square centimeter to be safe for humans. However, to keep up with these limits you would need to use harsh disinfectants every two hours because of how quickly the bacteria rebound, a schedule that is unlikely to be adhered to.

To ensure that surfaces are continually safe, silver ion technology is available, using the active nature of silver ions to destroy microorganisms and prevent them from growing and reproducing. By infusing silver ions into the products that you use the most, you can keep yourself and those around you safe by stopping bacterial and viral infections before they have a chance to start.

Experience the power of silver ion technology for yourself with products from The Kare Lab or contact us for custom order! 

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