The study of the synergism between oligodynamic silver and hydrogen peroxide as a long-acting water disinfectant

With serious questions developing concerning the toxic disinfection by-products (DBP's) resulting from the use of chlorine, chlorine dioxide, chloramines and ozone as disinfectants for drinking water, it is essential to investigate potential alternatives, particularly those which possess long lasting residual action. Our studies of the effect of oligodynamic silver ions on hydrogen peroxide, following the development of a new patented stabilized formulation (commercial name-Stril Super 25/Sanosil Super 25) indicate that with E. coli-B there is a significant synergistic effect resulting in a 6 log reduction in 60 minutes with initial concentrations of hydrogen peroxide of 15 ppm. and silver of 30 ppb. The long lasting residual of the combination studied may be of particular value in providing past-disinfection residuals following other rapid non-residual disinfection procedures such as UV or ozone. The commercial formulation, which is taste and odor free and is claimed to be free of toxic DBP's, has been approved for use as a disinfectant for drinking water in several countries including Switzerland, Germany and Australia, and is being field tested in Israel.