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
The researchers reported that bacteria exposed to nanoplastics can become more resistant to disinfectants. That could create serious problems for water treatment facilities and distribution networks designed to keep drinking water safe.
