A Simple Way to Detect the Deadly Microcystin-LR Algae-Producing Toxin in Our Drinking Water!

Author: Glenford Robinson

Author: Glenford Robinson

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is a deadly carcinogenic toxin found in blue-green algae or cyanobacteria. Microcystin-LR even in very minute quantities is responsible for causing liver cancer. MC-LR and other similar substances are found to be prominent players in biological water pollution. The algae-producing toxin was the chief culprit for causing large scale poisoning in humans, centuries ago when wells, springs, and lakes were the main sources for drinking water. A group of scientists lead by Nicholas Kotov, a professor in the departments of chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan discovered a simple method for testing the presence of MC-LR in drinking water. The researchers found out that a strip of paper infused with carbon nanotubes could quickly and detect the MC-LR toxin produced by algae in drinking water. They found that the paper strips perform 28 times faster than the complicated method most commonly used today to detect microcystin-LR, (University of Michigan). Water treatment plants, even in developed countries dont always remove MC-LR completely according to Kotov. The safety of our drinking water is a vital issue in many developing countries and in many parts of the United States, He said. There have been so many talks about the quality of our drinking water. So, whatever we can do to help the public stay safe from contracting diseases from drinking water is more than appreciated. This new technology for testing water can be used by cities and states to test drinking water quality on a regular basis. In addition, the technology can also be used to test for toxins in foods. The technique works by measuring electrical conductivity of nanotubes in a special synthesized paper. Before the nanotubes are introduced into the paper, they are mixed with antibodies for the MC-LR toxin. So, when the paper comes in contact with water that is contaminated with the MC-LR toxin, those antibodies go between the nanotubes to bond with the MC-LR toxin, thus, causing the nanotubes to spread apart, (University of Michigan). This spreading-apart of the nanotubes, cause a significant change to the nanotubes electrical conductivity. This electrical conductivity is measured by an external monitor, the researchers said. The result of testing water appears in about 12 minutes, (University of Michigan). Therefore, such rapid resulting can be beneficial to any city or state that wants to rule out a particular biological contaminant suspected in drinking water in very rapid fashion.About the Author:

Glenford S Robinson, BS, CLS, MT(ASCP), is a Clinical Laboratory Scientist and staff writer for The American Chronicle, California Chronicle, Los Angeles Chronicle, World Sentinel, and affiliates, which are online magazines for national, international, state, and local news. He has received Expert Author recognition for both EzineArticles and Goarticles. Mr. Robinson is the founder, president, chief operating officer, editor-in-chief and staff writer for Mstardom.com, a social networking website and news article site providing members and visitors with up-to-the-minute news, entertainment, and the opportunity to submit articles for free. He has done graduate studies leading to an MBA in Healthcare Management at the University of Phoenix, Phoenix Arizona. Please send correspondence to Mstardom.com/ranja inbox.

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