Nano silver particles on surgical dressings are becoming more
and more common Behind the Label: nanosilver 20th October, 2009
The powerful antibacterial nanosilver can now be found in
everything from air fresheners and food packaging to babies'
bottles and bandages. But has anyone looked at the risks? In
spite of the fact that they are widely used in a variety of
consumer products, many antibacterials work in ways similar to
pesticides and, more alarmingly, antibiotics. In a world where
microbes (viruses, bacteria, fungi) are fast developing
resistance to any kind antimicrobial substance, increasing
resistance puts us at risk at home and in places where keeping
microbial numbers at bay - such as hospitals - is crucial for
health and safety reasons. These facts haven't however stopped
the anti-bacterial juggernaut from delivering newer and more
powerful products - most recently nanosilver. As you might
expect the US is somewhat ahead of the UK in its use of
nanosilver, but we are rapidly catching up. The marke