Silver belongs to the group of transition metals. This element is an object of study for environmental research due to the high toxicity of silver ions to aquatic organisms, e.g. fish. However, despite its negative effects, it also offers beneficial effects in some respects.
Silver can be used in various ways as it offers many technical applications in dentistry, photography and the electronics industry. In addition, its use in the medical field is increasingly frequent. The latter, due to the biocidal characteristics of silver and its compounds, which makes it a powerful antibacterial component of dental resins. As well as in medical device coatings, surgical prostheses, wound dressings and biocomposite materials for medical use.
Similarly, silver nano particles, in the form of colloidal silver, have a great potential to achieve high antimicrobial activity. Its use includes pharmaceuticals, personal care products and disinfectants. Its main advantage is that microbes cannot develop resistance against silver nano particles, as is the case with conventional antibiotics.
This quality, believed to be related to the release of silver ions, has promoted the use of silver nano particles in sportswear, deodorant shoe insoles, sports socks, food containers and also in household appliances such as washing machines, air conditioners, among others.
At present, approximately 430 consumer products containing nano and silver particles are known on the market worldwide. It is believed that, in the coming years, this number will increase.
Should I be concerned about products that contain silver?
Concerns about the possible adverse effects of these products now exist, prompting the U.S. food and beverage regulator to rule that over-the-counter products, which contain nano, silver particles or silver salts, are not considered safe for human use.
This provision arises from studies that point out the possible toxicity of colloidal silver to aquatic organisms and humans, with particular emphasis on the reduction of the environmental impact of silver.
In humans, there is a condition known as argyria that is associated with excessive intake or inhalation of silver compounds. Nowadays, it occurs infrequently in the population. However, it is irreversible and is characterized by a blue-gray discoloration of the skin.
Why it is important to measure silver ions
The multipurpose nature of silver, its economic value and its long-term toxicity for humans underpin the need for a selective, reliable, simple, easy and highly sensitive determination method that allows for quality control and assurance in the manufacture of products containing colloidal silver.
Likewise, analytical methods are necessary for technological control of hydrometallurgical processes, in which data on silver concentrations are required by a rapid method. Likewise, the monitoring of aquatic spaces for the control of pollution caused by human activities is of great relevance today.
Benefits of Silver Ion Meters
Ion-selective electrodes are modern analytical tools that facilitate the assessment of the ionic activity of samples, quickly and directly. They form a versatile, affordable and advantageous measurement system, compared to other techniques. For example, it is relatively inexpensive and easy to perform. In addition, it has a wide range of silver concentration measurement.
The selective silver ion electrode facilitates the determination of concentrations in real time and can be used in environmental monitoring, wastewater analysis, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, among others.
Kalstein Silver Ion Meters
At Kalstein we offer a wide variety of silver ion meters, from the YR series. You can choose the one that best suits your needs. Kalstein silver ion meters, which offer the possibility to select the concentration units, e.g. ppm, mg/L and MOL/L, simplify the measurement process by performing direct ion concentration reading. In addition, they are designed with a backlit LCD screen and offer a set-up menu that allows the number of calibration points, stability criteria, temperature, unit, date and time, among others, to be set. For more information on Kalstein silver ion meters, visit the link HERE
