re: silver to go nuclear Just thought I would kick this recent...

re: silver to go nuclear Just thought I would kick this recent announcment into the discussion .............

Legislation Introduced to Study the Effectiveness of Silver-Based Biocides for Wood Preservation
February 21, 2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Washington, D.C. - February 21, 2003) - Members of the United States House of Representatives introduced legislation last week directing the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study of the effectiveness of silver-based biocides as an alternative treatment to preserve wood.

H.R. 688, known as the "Wood Preservation Safety Act of 2003," directs the Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin to conduct a study on the effectiveness of silver-based biocides as a wood preservation treatment. Congressmen Jim Gibbons (R-NV) and Butch Otter (R-ID) introduced the legislation. The U.S. Senate is expected to introduce companion legislation soon.

Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the chemical industry and the home-improvement industry negotiated an agreement to phase out the use of arsenic-based wood preservatives in pressure-treated wood by December 31, 2003. This transition affects virtually all residential uses of wood treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA), including wood used in play structures, decks, picnic tables, landscaping timbers, residential fencing, patios and walkways/boardwalks.

Beginning January 1, 2004, the EPA will not allow any CCA products in these residential uses. Corporations such as Home Depot and Lowe's have announced they would stop selling lumber treated with an arsenic-based preservative in concert with the EPA announcement.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission also is entering the long-running debate about the health risks of playground equipment made of pressure-treated wood. Earlier this month the agency released a staff study of 12 playgrounds in the Washington, D.C. area. It concluded that children who play on equipment made of wood treated with CCA's could face an increased risk of developing lung or bladder cancer over their lifetime.

"With the introduction of this legislation, Congress recognizes the growing importance of silver as a biocide and we will work hard to see that this important legislation is passed in the 108th Congress," said Paul Bateman, Executive Director of the Silver Institute.

If silver-based biocides were used as an alternative to harmful arsenic-based preservatives, potentially over 100 million ounces of silver a year would be consumed in this application alone, adding significantly to overall worldwide fabrication demand.

The Silver Institute is a nonprofit international association. Established in 1971, the Institute serves as the industry's voice in increasing public understanding of the value and many uses of silver.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>

Link below is also an interesting read for the silver bulls.


http://www.islandpharmacy.com/colloidalsilver3.html