An embodiment of the invention includes the use of a high valency silver ion containing compound, preferably sodium diperiodatoargentate and/or potassium diperiodatoargentate, incorporated into polymers or in a coating, including but not limited to polymers such as polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, and polydimethylsiloxane or other silicones.Any polymer may be employed in the present invention, in