According to physical properties, the density of heavy metals is 5g/cm3, and the standard density of silver is 10.5g/cm3, so silver is a heavy metal. However, silver is the most special kind of heavy metals, because heavy metals such as gold, lead and cadmium will damage the function of cells and even directly lead to protein mutation.

In ancient times, there was a saying of swallowing gold to commit suicide. However, silver ions are widely used in disinfection because their activity just meets the requirements of destroying the original bacteria protein and will not cause damage to complex tissues and cells. Therefore, silver is a safe heavy metal.

In the extended data, the density of heavy metals is 5g/cm3, and the standard density du of silver is 10.5g/cm3, so silver is a heavy metal.

However, silver is a special heavy metal, because heavy metals such as gold, lead and cadmium will damage the function of cells and even directly lead to protein mutation.

However, silver ion is widely used in disinfection because its activity just meets the characteristics of destroying the original bacterial protein and will not cause damage to complex tissues and cells. Therefore, silver is a safe heavy metal, and drinking water from silver pots will not be poisoned.

Moreover, silver also has the function of disinfection and sterilization. Ag+ can strongly attract sulfhydryl group (-SH) on protease in bacteria and quickly combine with it, which makes protease inactive and leads to bacterial death.

When the bacteria are killed by Ag+, Ag+ is released from the bacterial carcasses and then comes into contact with other colonies. The above process is repeated, which is also the reason for the persistence of silver sterilization.

Baidu encyclopedia-silver ion