Nanotechnology, which describes technology with dimensions that are less than 100 nanometers (nanoparticles). Over the last twenty years, there have been huge advances in nanotechnology that affect our everyday lives. They are used in batteries, sunscreens, self-cleaning surfaces, and sports products (shoes, exercise mats, baseball bats). Until now, nobody knew what the long-term effects of nanoparticles are on the environment.
Led by scientists from the University of Minnesota, researchers from the National Science Foundation Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology found that bacteria commonly found in the environment (called Shewanella oneidensis MR-1) develops a rapid resistance when exposed to the nanoparticles used in lithium-ion batteries. This means that the bacteria can survive with more and more nanoparticles in the environment and the biology of the bacteria is being altered.
According to Erin Carlson, lead study author and associate professor of chemistry at the University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering, “At many times throughout history, materials and chemicals like asbestos or DDT have not been tested thoroughly and have caused big problems in our environment. We don't know that these results are that dire, but this study is a warning sign that we need to be careful with all of these new materials, and that they could dramatically change what's happening in our environment."
Normally when we talk about bacteria being resistant, we think of antibiotics, not nanoparticles. Previous studies examined bacteria exposed to nanoparticles over a short period of time to see if the bacteria died. This new research studies the bacteria over a much longer period and examines what happens to the biochemistry of the bacteria.
Says Carlson, “This research is very important to humans because bacteria are prevalent in our lakes and soil where there is a delicate balance of organisms. Other organisms feed on these microbes and there could be a major effect up the food chain, or these resistant bacteria could have other effects we can't even predict right now.”
The results of the study are published in the journal, Chemical Science.