Research News (October 01, 2001)

A silver lining in the battle against foot odour

The marketer of Teva footwear products, Deckers Outdoor Group, says that its popular Teva footwear spring 2002 line (see left, Guide Universal) will be available with a silver-based anti-microbial compound that is effective in combating a broad range of bacteria, mold and mildew. This built-in protection suppresses the offensive odours commonly associated with athletic sandals.

A Boston-based biotechnology company, AgION Technologies, developed the anti-microbial compound and worked closely with Starsensier, an international textile manufacturer, to provide Deckers with the compound.

“We are always pleased to see silver-based products incorporated into everyday consumer items, such as footwear,” said Paul Bateman, executive director of The Silver Institute, based in Washington, D.C. “Silver’s versatile properties make it an attractive constituent in a wide range of applications,” Bateman added.