Superb. Jim
-----Original Message----- From: Terry Chamberlin [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, December 24, 2005 7:16 PM To: [email protected] Subject: CS> Marshall said, ".. I am still somewhat at a loss here as to what terminology to use to definitively separate a molecular silver ion from a suspended silver crystal. I still like the "molecular ion", but maybe another good term would be a "disassociated ion". Part of the confusion is also tied to the definition of *colloidal*. Dr. Carey Reams (physicist, biochemist) didn't limit the size of a colloidal particle to something unable to passing through a cell wall. He said that some colloids were so small they could pass through glass. Also, the concept that suspended silver particles are not utilized by the body or that ionic silver particles are argyria-causing to the body is irrelevant if silver particles are changed by the body into *ionic* silver by stomach acid, digestion, etc. But silversmiths who were exposed to metallic silver powder and either inhaled it or continually got it on their skin acquired argyria. Either the silver particles did cause argyria, or else the silver particles were made ionic by some metabolic function (digestion, etc.), which then caused argyria, or else more than one form of silver can cause argyria. In any case, argyria does not occur when silver particles (in any form) are nanometer in size. Dr. Robert Demling emphasized the point that, as silver particles become smaller, they operate in unique ways that larger particles do not. When you are discussing nanosilver, all the rules and concerns are different. Silver particles that are in a certain range of sizes are considered suspended in water, and we have called them *colloidal*. When they fall below a certain size, they are considered to be dissolved, and we have been calling them *ionic*. We arbitrarily label the first group *particles*, though they are all particles (using common scientific definitions), and the second group *ions*, though they are also particles, and both groups all have a charge (which is the common definition of an ion). Including silver nitrate into the group called *ionic* only muddies the water even more, because we have (inappropriately) been using that word to specify silver particles so small that there is no concern for safety, they are too small to be a problem. From a purely literal standpoint, silver-nitrate IS ionic because it has a charge (does it?), but that makes us need a vocabulary that differentiates between *good ionic* and *bad ionic*, and we're already having trouble with *ionic* and *colloidal*. I have looked up the definitions of *dissolved*, *solution* and *homogeneous* (a word that is part of the definition of a solution). I have tried to find a clear description of the properties that would make a distinction between the two, but found it to be quite unclear. If the particles are bigger than a certain size, they are declared to be in suspension. If smaller than that, they are labeled *in solution*. I have repeatedly seen an (apparently) arbitrary measurement of a particle in *suspension* of .001 to 0.1 nanometers, with the inference being that a particle smaller than .001 nm is now in solution and no longer in suspension. Where did that standard come from? If a particle that is .001 nm is in suspension, why is a particle that is .000999 nm in solution? What is the difference between suspension and solution? To say that the silver is now dissolved into the water is a meaningless statement with out a clear definition of *dissolve* and *solution*. The dictionary says that it is *homogeneous*, another word with a vague definition. Argyria HAS been caused by metallic silver particles, i.e., silver dust. This is best demonstrated by the incidence of argyria among silversmiths, who are exposed to silver dust on their skin and inhaled into their lungs. This seems to me to rebut the idea that only silver ions cause argyria. I have repeatedly seen the silver-salt-sunlight-photo concept described as the mechanism causing argyria, but I do not think it is that simple. It would not, to me, explain silversmith argyria adequately. The evidence is strong that silver in ANY form is lethal to pathogens. The vendors who claim that one form or the other is not effective are either ignorant of the widespread experience of many, many people, or else they are being dishonest in order to promote their products. Since we know that, the smaller the silver particles, the safer they are (Demling), we have wanted to differentiate between the safe and the unsafe. I personally am not concerned about ionic or colloidal or particulate or whatever. If you dissolve/suspend pure silver into pure, steam-distilled water using electricity, and you don't brew it until it's muddy, you will find it to be beneficial to your body without needing caution about using it. As far as safety is concerned, I think the only real consideration is particle size, although Demling also says that the smaller the particle, the more effective and stable it is. We have identified some of the factors that affect particle size. Particles will be bigger if the silver is joined to other substances - minerals, chemicals, proteins, etc. Particles will be bigger if they aggregate to themselves (basically, larger silver particles). The silver will break off the anode in bigger chunks when the electricity has a high amperage (whatever the voltage). The evidence indicates that silver particles that are large because of being joined to proteins or minerals (compounds) are more likely to contribute to argyria than large particles that are pure silver (up to a point). In other words, I would rather drink pure yellow CS than yellow silver nitrate. Of course, I'd rather drink crystal clear CS, but if there is nothing in it but silver, water and its byproducts, I have no hesitation in freely drinking yellow CS. I submit that all that matters is particle size. Specifying types of silver particles (colloidal, ionic, particulate, atomic, etc.) is unimportant and irrelevant to safety and effectiveness, until the size is too big. How big is too big? Anything darker than yellow (whether colloidal, ionic, particulate) is suspect. It may be perfectly safe, but no one knows for sure. Crystal clear CS/EIS is completely safe in any quantity, because in order for it to be/stay clear, it must have small particle size, in the nanometer range. If we are making a point of brewing nanosilver, we don't need to worry about argyria or anything else. Since clear CS/EIS is so easy to brew, our problem is solved. For the newbies, it is simple: Use steam-distilled water, .999 or better Fine silver, don't brew until it's brown (stop at clear, yellow or gold). Drink freely, use it everywhere. Everything we make has some ionic (I say it's ALL ionic), some colloidal (I say it's ALL colloidal), some particulate (I say it's ALL particles). I do not believe anyone can control the process to the point where he can make NOTHING but nanometer-sized particles, it will always have a range of sizes. Terry Chamberlin __________________________________________________________ Find your next car at http://autos.yahoo.ca -- The Silver List is a moderated forum for discussing Colloidal Silver. Instructions for unsubscribing are posted at: http://silverlist.org To post, address your message to: [email protected] Address Off-Topic messages to: [email protected] The Silver List and Off Topic List archives are currently down... List maintainer: Mike Devour <[email protected]>
