Tiny plastics in drinking water may be making dangerous bacteria stronger
New research indicates that nanoplastics in drinking water can strengthen bacterial biofilms, making them more resistant to disinfectants. This interaction poses potential risks to public health by complicating water treatment processes.
Why it matters
The findings highlight an emerging environmental health concern regarding how micro-pollutants interact with pathogens in water infrastructure.
Nanoplastics are already a concern because people may ingest them directly, but new research points to another possible danger. These tiny plastic particles may also make harmful bacteria more difficult to control.
In a study published in Water Research , Virginia Tech researcher Jingqiu Liao and an international team found that nanoplastics can interact with environmental microbes in ways that may create indirect risks to human health, especially through drinking water systems.
"It is very important to better understand the adverse effects of the nanoplastics on human health, and not just in humans but also in the environment, which indirectly influences human health," said Liao, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering. "The nanoplastics can make the antimicrobial-resistant pathogens better survive, which could be harmful to the environment and would have public health implications."
Nanoplastics May Complicate Water Treatment
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