Water purification systems are failing: scientists have identified a new threat in wastewater.

A new study by scientists has uncovered a critical issue with wastewater treatment systems: their inability to remove pathogenic microorganisms that adhere to microplastics. Although these facilities are designed to eliminate various pollutants, microplastics—small plastic particles that persist in water—often evade treatment processes, allowing these harmful substances to enter our bodies, reports Tech Explorist.

Particles that enter the water form microbial biofilms, known as plastispheres, which serve as a habitat for pathogens, potentially threatening the health of ecosystems and humans when treated wastewater and sludge re-enter the environment. In their research led by Ingun Lund Witsø from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, the team of scientists studied plastispheres on three types of microplastics found in wastewater.

Through advanced cultivation and genetic analysis, they identified several pathogenic microorganisms transmitted through food and water residing in these biofilms, including Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, norovirus, and adenovirus. Additionally, the team was able to cultivate other harmful organisms: Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter spp. from both untreated and treated wastewater samples. These findings indicate that biofilms may protect pathogens from standard treatment, allowing these organisms to survive the purification process and re-enter the environment.

The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, raises concerns among scientists about the reuse of treated wastewater, particularly in agriculture and recreational areas, where these pathogens could enter the food chain or cause infections. Without targeted measures to remove microplastics and their associated pathogens from wastewater, the risk of their spread remains high, posing a potential threat to public health in many countries.

Researchers emphasize that wastewater treatment facilities may inadvertently contribute to the spread of pathogens, failing to address the unique challenges posed by plastic use. At treatment plants, plastic becomes coated with microbial biofilms known as "plastispheres," which can harbor dangerous pathogens. This underscores the urgent need for technological advancements and improved regulatory policies regarding water pollution to mitigate health risks associated with microplastics.

To tackle this issue, the authors believe that countries need to strengthen waste management policies and implement innovations in wastewater treatment technologies to capture and eliminate microplastic covered in biofilms. As they continue to explore the full extent of health hazards associated with plastic, new processing protocols targeting both microplastics and the microbial communities that inhabit them will be crucial for protecting the environment and public health in the future.

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