ACN 074 448 829
Product Evaluation:
Austech Water Purification Technology
Dr. Jaroslav Boublik
B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D., MRACI, C.Chem.
Dr. Jaroslav Boublik
B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D., MRACI, C.Chem.
A Word About Silver
The antiseptic qualities of traces of silver ions have been known for centuries. The Romans used silver jars to store liquids contamination free. American settlers travelling West used silver coins in their milk pots to delay spoilage. In the 1900's silver foil was used extensively as an infection control wound dressing. Silver has recently been rediscovered by medicine and silver colloid containing preparations are now used in every burn unit in the United States to control infection in severe burns.
It is important to make a distinction between silver and other so-called heavy metals. Most heavy metals are toxic to mammals, including man, because there are limited detoxification processes in mammals which can deal with heavy metals. This is because these metals are not normally involved in any biochemical processes. Silver is unique as there have been some enzymes identified which can make use of silver as cofactors. In fact, it has been suggested that there is a dietary requirement for trace levels of silver, normally present in simple diets, but lacking in our more sophisticated Western diet. In particular the immune system appears to require silver and may in fact use it as a biocide. The silver ions in Austech Water Purification Technology treated water are safe to ingest because upon arrival in the stomach they are readily converted by the hydrochloric acid in stomach juices to silver chloride (AgCl) which is insoluble and passes unhindered through the rest of the digestive tract to be expelled as waste. The trace amounts of silver required by the body are specifically absorbed from the digestive tract after conversion from silver chloride to other organic forms.
Mode of Action
The SilverSafe water sanitiser technology uses a silver electrolysis unit to introduce trace levels of colloidal silver into the water. The electrolysis unit is activated by water flow so that it only produces colloidal silver when feed water flows through the unit. Early variations of the system simply introduced silver ions (Ag+); the most recent improvement, in which the pattern of electrical current across the electrolysis unit is varied under strict control from on-board circuitry, allows the unit to produce silver particles made up of microclusters of silver atoms. This is a previously unknown electrochemical reaction and the inventor has termed the process Electro-cathodic Particle Dislodgment (ECPD). This improves the efficiency of the system many fold as the microclusters disassociate over time to generate silver ions which then act as the biocidal agent. It is known that silver ions kill over 650 strains of bacteria and many viruses. They do so by preventing the bacteria from metabolising oxygen and other nutrients and so the bacteria die. The microcluster disassociation occurs at varying rates depending on the local environment allowing the system to adapt and maintain optimum efficiency under a range of conditions.
In the next stage of the purification process the silver-treated and now bacteriostatic water is then filtered to remove sediments, chemicals such as chlorine and fluoride, pesticides and herbicides and many other toxic components. Some bacteria are also filtered out but most are too small to be filtered by the Filtration cartridges usually used. These bacteria remain in the water but because they are dead, or die within a short period following exposure to the silver ions, they are rendered harmless. This is the important difference between the Austech Water Purification Technology and other water filtration systems. It is particularly important because filter cartridges actually provide the perfect habitat for bacteria and once they have colonised the filtration cartridge they will continue to infect the water that flows through that cartridge. Because no live bacteria enter the Austech filter cartridge, or if they do they are soon killed by the silver ions, bacteria cannot grow and infect the water that the unit produces. The water produced by the unit can be stored safely in a sealed container and the trace levels of silver will ensure that the water remains bacteriostatic for an extended period of time.
Independent Testing
The Austech Water Purification Technology has been subjected to thorough testing by four independent laboratories during the development of the various applications of the core technology. In previous studies, earlier versions of the technology were tested by Simmonds and Bristow Pty. Ltd., who are certified water and environmental analysts and consultants, and AWT Ensight Pty Ltd who are a division of the Sydney Water Corporation. More recently, testing of products fitted with the ECPD technology was conducted again by AWT Ensight Pty Ltd, by Symbia Alliance, certified water testing consultants, and by the Barwon Region Water Authority. Of these laboratories Simmonds and Bristow Pty Ltd, Symbia Alliance and the Barwon Region Water Authority are certified by the National Association of Testing Authorities attesting to their compliance with the highest standards of good practice.
The earlier results obtained by Simmonds and Bristow Pty Ltd and AWT Ensight Pty Ltd confirm that the Austech Water Purification Technology provides outflow water in which bacteria (represented in the testing by E.coli) and chemical contaminants (represented in the testing by chlorine) are effectively removed by the purification units. Measurement of the silver levels in the outflow water indicate that the levels were held in the exact range for maximum bacteriostatic effectiveness and which are well below the World Health Organisations approved maximum for silver in drinking water. These results have been reported in detail in my previous document "A Question of Purity" (available from Austech Ltd)
In the more recent studies by AWT Ensight Pty Ltd and in the new studies by Symbia Alliance on products fitted with the ECPD technology the ability to kill E.coli bacteria was used as the core measurement. It has been recognised in many countries that a particular strain of E.coli (strain 0157-H7) is associated with the risk of fatality in humans. As this particular strain is particularly resistant to chemical disinfection and as such represents a serious public health problem, it was decided to benchmark the new technology with this micro-organism.
Briefly, the AWT Ensight Pty Ltd studies took three samples of E.coli 0157-H7 contaminated water and passed them through an Austech domestic ECPD unit. The treated water samples were tested at 3, 30 and 60 minutes. In a separate experiment one litre of each sample of treated water was added to two litres of the contaminated water and allowed to stand for 75 minutes. In all cases there was a decrease in the bacteria count to 0.0001% of the initial levels representing a 99.999% reduction of bacteria.
Similar studies were conducted by Symbia Alliance. The same strain of E.coli was used but a different, but equally sensitive measurement technique was employed. In these studies the decrease in bacteria count was to below the level of detection indicating an approximately 100% reduction of bacteria.
The studies undertaken by the Barwon Region Water Authority were performed on a small Travel Safe unit. This unit is designed for easy transport and is supplied together with a container of dilute Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) which is known to enhance the effectiveness of the biocidal action of silver. In this case the samples of E.coli contaminated water were treated with the unit and in one set of studies 0.02% H2O2 was added. Bacteria levels were measured after time intervals from 5 minutes to 5 days. In the non-H2O2 treated samples complete reduction of bacteria to undetectable levels occurred within 75 minutes. With the addition of H2O2 the time interval was reduced to the time period required to do the test (5 minutes), suggesting that the action could be even more rapid than this and may even be essentially immediate. The treated water remained bacteria free for the duration of the 5 day study - even when stored at 30° C. The treated water was also added back to contaminated water at a ratio of 1:3 and the biocidal effect of the treated water was evident when measured at 75 minutes after the addition.
In summary, these studies taken together are a strong testament to the effectiveness of the Austech Water Purification Technology. In particular the recent development of the ECPD advancement has improved the efficiency of the technology and will ensure that the highest levels of ongoing biocidal action are always available to users. This is of particular interest to those who wish to use the water produced by these systems for process use. For instance I have recently been made aware of studies comparing the effectiveness of the Austech Water Purification Technology - treated water with conventional biocides such as chlorine and iodine for use in the food industry. The results confirm the superior biocidal action of the silver-treated water with the added advantage of much improved indices of user acceptability and workplace safety. Austech Water Purification Technology may represent the first advance in this field since the turn of the century.
Conclusion
Water quality is of paramount importance in today's toxic environment. It has been said that not drinking enough water, and by this we mean high quality, toxin and bacteria free water as is produced by the Austech Water Purification Technology, is the single greatest contributory factor to ill health. I therefore commend this technology to you and believe that this is a breakthrough in water quality enhancement on the planet.
Dr Jaroslav Boublik
B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D., MRACI, C.Chem
