Alen Air Purifiers Respond to H1N1 Pandemic with Revolutionary New Technology
Now more than ever, consumers are searching for new ways to win the fight against germs, bacteria and viruses. Silver is a natural anti bacterial, anti viral and anti fungal and has been used for centu-ries medicinally. In the past decade there has been an emergence of new silver products boasting the same benefits. This paper attempts to compile all major research studies, expert opinions and laboratory tests on the effectiveness of Silver as an effective component in consumer goods products to prevent the growth of bacteria and reduce viruses.
An Antimicrobial
Silver is a natural antimicrobial. That means that microbes—germs—can’t survive in the presence of silver ions. Silver ions released from the surface of silver molecules, however, are harmless to people.
Silver was used medicinally for around two hundred years before it was replaced by antibiotics, and, for a long time, practically its only remaining use was in alternative medicine. The metal has experi-ence an upsurge in popularity in medicine since the start of the nanotechnology era in the 1960s. Medical instruments, artificial limbs, hospital furniture and even hospital linen are now lined, sheathed or fortified with it.
According to current knowledge, silver nanoparticles have multiple effects on bacteria and viruses: they suppress the cell’s nutrient transport, attack the cell membrane and interfere with cell division and thus hinder the reproduction of the germs. (Science Daily, 2008)
Alen Air Purifier Effectiveness Against Viruses
In a groundbreaking study, the Journal of Nanotechnology has published a study that found silver nanoparticles kill HIV-1 and are likely to kill virtually any other virus. The study, which was conducted by the University of Texas and Mexico University, is the first medical study to ever explore the benefits of silver nanoparticles. While further research is needed, researchers are optimistic that nanological silver may be the silver bullet to kill viruses. The researchers in the study said that they had already initi-ated experiments using silver nanoparticles to kill what is known as the super bug or MRSA (Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus). ‘Our preliminary results indicate that silver nanoparticles can effec-tively attack other micro-organisms’, said Miguel Jose Yacaman, from University of Texas, Department of Engineering and one of the study’s authors. (Hamdani, 2005) Already used as a topical antibiotic in the medical industry, silver is now under consideration as an alternative to drugs when it comes to fighting previously untreatable viruses such as the Tami flu resistant avian flu. (Free Market News, 2005)
In 2008, the Guangdong Centre of Microbiology tested a HEPA filter, developed by Texas-based Alen Corp. that contains a filter coated in silver nanoparticles. It had been hypothesized the air pushed thru the silver would benefit from the natural anti-bacterial compound – the test results were even better than originally estimated – proven to kill 99.97% of bacteria and up to 50% of viruses that may cause the flu. It is anticipated this type of air purification technology will forever change indoor air quality industry, making it affordable for consumers sensitive to viruses, germs and bacteria to attain clean air.
How Does It Work
Nanoparticles are very small and they are interacting with the bacteria and rupturing the cell wall,” says chemist George John of City College of New York and lead author of the study, published in the journal Nature Materials March 2008. This rupturing kills the bacteria, he explains. When silver nano particles come into contact with bacteria, they suppress the respiration of bacteria. This, in turn, ad-versely affects bacteria’s cellular metabolism and inhibits cell growth.
“It is more or less like a soaping or detergent effect,” says Lucian Lucia, associate professor of chem-istry at North Carolina State University. The nanoparticle destroys the cell wall of the microbe. (Heger, 2008)
Silver, and silver-based compounds, is highly antimicrobial thanks to its antiseptic properties to several species of bacteria, including the common kitchen microbe, E. coli. Silver nanoparticles interact with the outer membrane of bacteria, causing structural changes that lead to degradation and eventu-ally death of the microbe. (Loher et al., 2008)
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