GREEN blog .
We all know that Norwex BacLock ® microfibre has the ability to remove up to 99 % of bacteria from a surface with only water *, then the micro silver in the wet cloth goes to work using its self purification properties against mould , fungi and bacterial odour within 24 hours . However , over the last few years there has been concern that nano-silver could cause unknown problems both to ourselves and to our environment . But did you know there ’ s a difference between “ nano-silver ” and the “ micro-silver ” used by Norwex ?
Micro-silver and nano-silver ( a thousand times smaller in scale than micro-silver ) are being used in products from medical bandages to washing machines , to toothbrushes and toothpastes , to anti-pathogen sprays applied to the Hong Kong transit system .
Despite the increased interest , nano-silver ’ s reputation , not unlike it ’ s base element , is not immune to tarnish . Several studies over the past three decades point to potential harmful effects of nano-silver on marine life , good bacteria in water bodies and soil and to the human body , and increased strain on municipal water treatment systems to process increased nano-silver in wastewater .
Research has also pointed out that antibiotic effectiveness is increased 20 % -70% when using silver against test bacteria strains . Not only was silver found to be effective in prohibiting the growth of five of the six bacteria strains tested , it was also found to be most effective against MRSA and MRSE , two well known “ super bugs ” resistant to antibiotics .
Norwex uses micro-silver in its cloths , which has greatly decreased ill effects compared to nanosilver . Micro-silver , due to its size at a thousand times larger than nano-silver , can not penetrate the skin . It is a form of silver which is physically and chemically embedded within the microfibre itself , so that it does not leach out of the fibre into the environment – it is basically in there for the life of the cloth – which is why it is so safe to use – because we are not leaving silver where we use the cloth .
So while silver has caught a bad wrap over the last few years , you can feel safe using Norwex BacLock ® microfibres , as they don ’ t contain nanosilver , and the small amount of silver ( less than 1mg ) that breaks down during the life of a cloth is incredibly minute .
* When following the proper care and use instructions .
www . norwexmovement . com
Ryan Pedlow
Marketing Manager
14 MISSION . green blog