Silver Nano
| Company type | Trademark |
|---|---|
| Industry | Home appliances technology |
| Founded | April 2003 |
| Founder | Samsung |
| Products | Antibacterial technology incorporating silver nanoparticles for appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioners, air purifiers, vacuum cleaners |
| Parent | Samsung Electronics |
Template:Infobox Korean name Silver Nano (also known as the Silver Nano Health System) is a trademark denoting an antibacterial technology that incorporates silver nanoparticles into appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioners, air purifiers, and vacuum cleaners. This innovation was launched by Samsung in April 2003.
Benefits
Samsung integrates a silver nano coating on the interior surfaces of various home appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners to provide comprehensive antibacterial and antifungal protection. As air moves through these devices, the silver-ion-coated surfaces interact with airborne bacteria, disrupting bacterial respiration, impairing cellular metabolism, and preventing bacterial proliferation.
Samsung claims that its silver nano technology is effective against over 650 bacterial strains. For instance, the Samsung WM1245A Washing Machine emits more than 400 billion silver ions that penetrate fabrics deeply, forming a sterilizing layer that achieves up to 99.99% disinfection and extends antibacterial protection for as long as 30 days following a wash cycle.
Paul Lipscomb, Product Manager for White Goods at Samsung Australia, explains that the Silver Wash system eliminates the need for soaking garments in additives or using very high temperatures to sanitize laundry. When combined with Samsung’s front-loading washing machines—which boast leading water efficiency ratings up to 5A—this results in significant long-term savings on operating costs.
In 2005, the South Korean Consumer Protection Board determined that Samsung’s advertising claims regarding Silver Wash technology were overstated. Their tests indicated that comparable drum-type washers from manufacturers such as LG Electronics, Daewoo Electronics, and Whirlpool Corporation achieved a 99.9% reduction in germs.
Samsung responded to these findings by asserting their products maintain superiority due to their ability to eliminate 99.999% of bacteria, surpassing the 99.9–99.99% germ removal rates of competitor washers.
Environmental issues
The German environmental organization, Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND), affiliated with Friends of the Earth, has urged consumers to avoid purchasing a novel washing machine model that incorporates silver nanoparticles. BUND expressed concerns that significant quantities of silver might be discharged into sewage plants, potentially disrupting the biological treatment processes involved in waste water purification. Additionally, Friends of the Earth has highlighted the toxic effects silver nanoparticles may have on various living cells.[1][2]
Samsung responded by stating that each washing machine releases only about 0.05 grams of silver annually, and that these silver ions rapidly attach to larger, non-nano particles present in water. This explanation raises questions regarding which specific structures Samsung believes these nanoparticles adhere to, preventing subsequent exposure to aquatic ecosystems.[3]
Regulatory aspects
In the publication Silver Nanotechnologies and the Environment, environmental toxicologist Dr. Samuel Luoma discusses how the extensive application of nanoscale silver will present challenges for regulatory bodies tasked with weighing its valuable benefits against potential environmental hazards.[4] As of August 21, 2008, the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies reported that a minimum of 235 consumer products containing silver nanotechnology, identified by their manufacturers, were available on the market.[5]
See also
References
- ↑ Concerns about nanotechnology washing machine
- ↑ Nanosilver - a threat to soil, water and human health? Archived 2009-11-22 at the Wayback Machine, Friends of the Earth Australia
- ↑ Common sense about Samsung silver nanotechnology
- ↑ Luoma, S. (2008). Silver Nanotechnologies and the Environment Archived 2013-10-08 at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies. Analysis: This is the first publicly available on-line inventory of nanotechnology-based consumer products Archived 2011-05-05 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 24 November 2008.
External links
- The Silver Nano Health System, Overview of Samsung Silver Nano