Colloidal silver

[Jon W.]

Does anyone have or know of any objective information about the use of colloidal silver solutions for treating the fresh water tanks? I've been using one for a couple of years, but am still curious. BTW, I only consume bottled water while on the boat.

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

You might want to read this before trying it...

http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/PhonyAds/silverad.html

 

[John12427]

Peggie

As consumers we want to have all the information as possible, With that information we want as much research and non-biased information as possible, One need to review Steven Barrets work to see this is not so! just because one has an M.D. behind their name does not make an expert. FYIJohn DorsettS/V AlcyoneHunter 356

 

[Jon W.]

Negative information.

A lot of the negative information from the above link seems to be about colliodal silver solutions intended for health or medical uses. I'm not sure how much of this applies to solutions used to keep your water supply from growing nasty things, i.e., what are the concentrations of silver in the various solutions as used? The product I'm using is from a major international company. They claim absolutely no negative health affect. But you never know. So I'm still looking for any independent reassurances.

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

Perhaps you'll find this report from the FDA

more credible: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/ANS00971.htmlThis one also:http://www.silver-colloids.com/Reports/reports.htmlTheir research indicates that it won't cause argyria when taken as directed...but even some vitamins--notably A and D--are toxic if too much is taken. How much collodial silver is too much--or too little do any good--in a 50 water tank? They've also found that a number of brands are nothing more than "snake oil." The claims for the benefits colloidal silver by those who make/sell the stuff are all over the wall. As a CURE for some things, silver HAS proven effective--for instance silver nitrate for burns. But I haven't seen any claims that it'll prevent anything...and if you wouldn't smear silver nitrate all over your body to PREVENT burns, why would you ingest a silver suppliment to prevent any disease you haven't been exposed to? You're obviously a believer in it...but ephedra had--and still has--a lot of believers too. What you put into your own body is up to you...but I don't think it would be a good idea to put it into a water supply that will be used by others.My $.02 worth.

 

[Paul Z]

I'm with you Jon

I consume only distilled water and pure grainalcohol while on the boat. This protects myprecious bodily fluids. I have the tinfoilliner in my watch cap replaced every time I goout, this protects my brain waves.

 

[John12427]

Thanks peggy

Thanks for the more reliable links, I respect and trust what you post here, but knowing steven Barrets past I just felt that is not the most trustworthy link to lead to.John

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

LOL Paul!!

But did you know that drinking only distilled, filtered or bottled water causes tooth decay? Seriously! Our municipal water supplies are all flouridated, which had just about knocked out tooth decay...but dentists are reporting that it's on the rise again due to the filtered/bottle water craze.So there's no point in undiluting the grain alcohol if you're gonna use distilled water.

 

[Jon W.]

Almost sorry I started this...

Thank for the links. That's quite a bit of information, but I still haven't seen anything to tell me if the product I'm using (sold to treat boat and RV tank water) is affective at keeping keep bacteria from growing in the water I use on the boat to wash my hands and dishes. I am not interested in whether it should be ingested for health benefits, as a cure for baldness, or just for fun. But it hasn't turned my hands purple, or the water pink, and it seems to get the dishes clean, so I guess it's OK.P.S. I actually drink soda on the boat so there goes my teeth.

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

I can tell you this much...

I've yet to see any product that's supposed to "treat" RV and boat tank water that actually does prevent molds, fungi etc from growing in the system...and some of 'em are actually harmful to the tank and/or hoses and rubber parts in the water pump. Reason: the amount needed to BE effective would eiher make the water unuseable or be harmful to health till it's flushed out...or both.Everyone who owns a boat is looking for "magic bullets" that allow them to avoid doing any real work...potions that miraculously clean bilges, machines that "neutralize" odors...miracle fiberglass and teak products...products that claim to "treat" the potable water supply...and that's just the boating market. If people ever stopped falling for the claims of the 'snake oil' merchants, our whole economy would prob'ly collapse. I dunno what you're spending annually on colloidal silver to put in your water tank...but it has to be a lot more than the $2-5/year than an annual recommissioning, which would also be both a lot more effective and a lot safer than any additive.

 

[Jon W.]

You May be right

I just wanted to see if there was any "evidence" that might disprove their claims. I've done the chlorine shock treatment thing a number of times, but I sometimes leave water in the tank for fairly long periods, and thought this might keep it fresher. Cost isn't much of an issue, I'm still using the same bottle I bought three years ago. I don't use it during the peak cruising months when I'm refilling the tank frequently. I believe the company is best known for their water filtration products. I'm not trying to push the product, heck, I don't even know for sure if it works.See related link, and also: http://www.katadyn.net/msds.html

 

[Jose Venegas]

Thanks for link Jon

I grew up in South America and we always used Katadyn filters for our drinking water at the ranch before treated water arrived. This was more than 50 years ago. Katadyn is a reputable Swiss company with worldwide distribution and at least 50 years in the market. I also use my water tanks for everything in the boat except drinking. I will start using the product for the same reasons you do. Thank you. And Peggy, my wife, a pediatric dentist in the faculty at Boston University, tells me that there is no need to drink fluorinated water if you use fluorinated tooth paste and wash your teeth at least twice a day.