|
Archaeological research shows that humans have been using copper for 11,000 years and silver for 5,000 years because of its disinfectant properties. The ancient Greeks were the first to discover the health-giving power of copper. The Egyptians, for their part, stored water in silver containers to avoid contamination. The Roman Empire exhausted most of the copper resources of Cyprus, the island that gave its name to copper. The Vikings used copper ropes on their ships to prevent the growth of algae and shells. Modern ships still use the same technology. Most protective paints contain copper, which has the effect of reducing the number of marine life on the ship's walls. This allows the ships to reach their destination faster! Closer to home, early American pioneers traveling westward would place copper and silver coins in large water barrels to provide drinking water throughout their journey. As they rolled, the coins would release ions (electrically charged particles) into the water. You may have noticed that the water in wells or fountains containing silver and copper coins is very luminous due to the disinfecting effect of these metals. Since 1869, various publications have appeared on the disinfectant properties of silver. Some European and Russian villages have been using copper to disinfect drinking water for many years. |
Leave a comment
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.