STUDY – Antimicrobial silver nanoparticles – regulatory situation in European Union (January 2017, Gregor Schneider)

Antimicrobial silver nanoparticles – regulatory situation in the European Union (January 2017, Gregor Schneider) click here to download the full text in pdf

Below is the translated Conclusion from the above article

5. Conclusion
Silver has been used since the 4th millennium BC. Nanosilver dispersions were used as medical products as early as the 19th century without any adverse effects on patients. In addition, silver has been approved by the EU EFSA as E174 for food colouring.  The antimicrobial effect of silver is well known. Silver ions show a broad antimicrobial profile against bacteria, fungi and also viruses. Even strains of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, such as the MRSA strain, can be
fought with silver [10]. This makes silver and nanosilver an excellent biocide for use in medical. devices and food processing.
The increased surface area and the release of silver ions combined with the silver depot effect make nanosilver an ideal additive to be used as a biocidal agent for all types of surfaces.
For technical applications used in the food industry, e.g. for coatings, in consumer products or on hygienic surfaces for
food storage, nanosilver is incorporated into the substrate material (e.g. polymer or coating) and is therefore
irreversibly immobilised.  S206 G. Schneider / Materials Today: Proceedings 4 (2017) S200-S207

Compared to conventional textiles, nano-silver textiles save 50% of electrical energy and lead to 30% lower electricity consumption.
Environmental impact. This is due to the reduced consumption of detergents and the electricity benefit that results from
from fewer washing and drying cycles.  Silver is used in the food sector to combat microorganisms that cause spoilage of food or even diseases such as food poisoning. Animal stables in particular are a major source of multi-drug resistant organisms such as the dreaded MRSA.
Wound germs and pus or dangerous intestinal bacteria such as 3,4MRGN (multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria). All relevant
bacterial strains are sensitive to silver, even multidrug-resistant strains that will increasingly cause hygiene problems.
Problems.

The regulation of nanosilver for food contact materials is a complex issue. One of the topics currently being discussed within the European authorities is how to approach how to deal with applications for BPR of a Type 4 product and avoid legal uncertainty and a double approval process (EU-BPR 528/2012 vs. (EU) No 10/2011 positive list). However, it seems clear that nanosilver products wishing to be placed on the EU market must be approved in accordance with the requirements under existing legislation and their specific risk associated with nanotechnology must be additionally assessed.
Silver became the reference nanomaterial in the OECD WPMN international testing programme for nanosilver ‘agpure W10’ (produced by RAS AG), where it was characterised as NM 300K. This is the only research on a nanosilver product in Europe that provides extensive research data on nanosafety. Summarizing the mammalian and ecotoxicity data, the use of nanosilver can be considered safe for humans and the environment if certain rules are followed.

The results of the nanorisk assessment and the silver migration study show that the use of a food contact product containing nanosilver NM 300K as an antimicrobial additive is safe for humans and the environment. It does not lead to significant migration of silver into food.  Overall, nanosilver for food contact materials is a safe material that can be used to address new challenges in our society. In addition to resource conservation, greater hygiene will be required to ensure safe food in an ever-growing population.

Even new threats such as multiresistant bacteria, as a result of factory farming, can be stopped with.
Using nanosilver [25].