I am seeing towels being advertised (called Wick-er Warmup towels) on many swim and travel chat groups, and I want to know how it is that the Silver in the fiber actually kills bacteria and fungus.
2006-09-15 07:34:22 · 3 answers · asked by discoverytrekking 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
The silver appears to form insoluble compounds with proteins, disrupting cell function.
The silver will eventually all wash out, but if the article is designed well, the leach rate will be appropriate for the antimicrobial properties (e.g., it doesn't all wash out after one washing).
Silver has relatively low toxicity towards mammals, but is toxic to aquatic organisms. Of course, being an element it will not degrade.
2006-09-21 08:19:39 · answer #1 · answered by reengler 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the bacteria/fungus tries to use the Ag, but it disrupts pathways and ends up killing them
2006-09-15 07:48:35 · answer #2 · answered by shiara_blade 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the heavy metal ions are toxic to most bacteria
2006-09-15 08:10:30 · answer #3 · answered by John V 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋