There is much controversy over the use of colloidal silver. The antibacterial and antiviral properties of silver (not necessarily in colloidal form) have been known about since ancient Greek and Roman times, when it was found that liquids like milk and wine etc would last longer when stored in an urn made of silver. There are many other examples throughout history. Furthermore, in modern times many scientific studies have validated the anti pathogenic properties of silver, it is irrefutable scientific fact.

However, since silver has been used in colloidal form (small silver particles suspended in liquid) there is a lot of argument over a condition called argyria, which can sometimes result from overuse. Argyria occurs when relatively large silver particles get caught under the skin and later react with sunlight, turning the skin grey or blue. Every time you find a forum discussion on colloidal silver you will always find somebody making reference to colloidal silver just turning you blue or making you look like a “smurf”.

If you Google “argyria” you will find that the appearance can be very dramatic. This has led to a disproportionate amount of coverage to the condition which is in fact very rare. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) toxicity report on silver states that “while argyria occurred more commonly before the development of antibiotics, it is now a rare occurrence”.

You can find this EPA report by Googling “CASRN 77440-22-4”. Of course the usage of colloidal silver reduced with the emergence of antibiotics, so the incidence of argyria would have naturally reduced with it. But as concerns have grown over the side effects of antibiotics and the fact that many bacteria are developing resistance to them, colloidal silver has seen a rapid growth in popularity over recent years. However, the incidence of argyria has not grown with it.

Why? Because most of today's manufactures use superior manufacturing techniques. This includes producing tiny silver particles that are just nanometres in length. These tiny particles cannot get trapped under the skin and are removed from the body very quickly. Trials in primates (a category which includes humans) and other animals found that between 90 to 99% of silver was excreted by the second day (see EPA report referenced above).

Most of today's cases of argryia are linked to homemade colloidal silver using techniques rejected by all the leading colloidal silver manufacturers. Despite sensationalist reporting falsely making it sound like argyria is rife and almost an automatic consequence of consuming colloidal silver, argyria will not and cannot occur if you are using colloidal silver made by a reputable manufacturer using tiny silver nano-particles which pass through the body easily and do not lodge under the skin.

That said, although colloidal silver can be very effective against pathogens and completely safe to humans, not all colloidal silvers are equal and many make claims that they cannot substantiate. In Part 2 of this article, I will advise about looking for a good reputable manufacturer.