Silver is one of the most versatile metals on Earth and while its uses span many industries, silver in medicine makes this element a standout across centuries.

• Surgeons began using silver sutures to reduce postoperative inflammation (1800s)
• Newborns in the U.S. were prescribed silver nitrate eye drops to prevent conjunctivitis* (Early 1900s)
• Soldiers in World War 1 carried silver leaf dressings to help fight infections (Early 1900s)
• Silver sulfadiazine-cream was applied to burn wounds to prevent infections (Mid 1900s)
• NASA used silver ions to kill bacteria and for water purification on the International Space Station (Late 1900s)
• Silver nanoparticles are used in targeted anti-cancer-therapy (Mid 2000s) 

Today, silver is critical for modern medical advancements. From the everyday to the extraordinary, silver remains a major catalyst changing the face of medicine and dramatically impacting the human experience. Before silver reaches a hospital or clinic, it starts in the ground, in places like Alaska, where it can be mined.

Antimicrobial Properties

Silver’s strong antimicrobial properties allow it to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria and viruses. Silver ions disrupt the cellular structure of bacteria, making them unable to replicate or survive. This property is particularly important in preventing and treating infections. 

Silver in Medicine - Wound Care

Silver is used to promote and facilitate wound healing. Variations of silver sulfadiazine creams and dressings help to prevent and treat infections in wounds, burns, and other skin injuries.

Did you know Alaska is home to the largest producing silver mine in the United States? The team at Hecla Greens Creek Mine has demonstrated that its safety record and environmental stewardship are among the best in the world. Located in Southeast Alaska within the Admiralty Island National Monument, the ore body contains silver, zinc, gold, and lead.

Silver’s Usage for Medical Devices

The antimicrobial properties of silver in medicine prevent microbial colonization on surfaces, making it the ideal material for a range of medical tools and devices, including:

• Surgical instruments
• Catheters
• Breathing tubes
• Prosthetic heart valves
• Pacemakers

These uses all depend on a reliable supply of high-purity silver found in mining.

Silver Nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticles are used in drug delivery systems, diagnostic tools, and as a component of wound dressing. Their unique properties make them effective in targeting specific cells and tissues.

Topical Antiseptics

A major medical use of silver is antiseptic solutions and gels used to clean and disinfect skin before medical procedures. These solutions and gels help reduce the risk of infection.

Dental Health

Silver diamine fluoride is a dental treatment that incorporates silver ions to delay tooth decay and prevent its progression. It is particularly useful in pediatric dentistry.

Without a steady supply of silver from mining, the medical uses of silver in dentistry would be harder to maintain.

Antibiotic Resistance

The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has led to increased interest in alternative antimicrobial agents. Silver in medicine can be an effective option for infections that do not respond to conventional antibiotics. 

Why Silver Mining Matters to Medicine

Hospitals need more silver. From wound dressings to surgical tools, it’s one of the most reliable metals for fighting infection. That demand is growing, and it’s growing fast.

But silver isn’t unlimited. It has to be mined. Recycling helps with supply, but it doesn’t come close to meeting what medicine alone now requires.‍

Mining is good for Alaska. The state has untapped silver reserves that could directly support the global healthcare system. It’s about contributing to silver in medicine that keeps people alive and healing faster.

Alaska silver becomes part of bandages, stents, and sterilization systems. Every gram that leaves the ground here can end up in a place where medical uses of silver prevent infection, extend a life, or reduce pain. That’s the kind of impact people don’t always see, but it’s real.

_{Resources: National Institute of Health, National Library of Medicine, Silver Institute, World Silver Survey, Visual Capitalist.}

_{*This practice has largely been replaced by the use of erythromycin.}