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Nanotechnology

New Research on Nanoparticles Highlights Concerns Over Aquatic Environment and Human Health

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

New research from the National University of Singapore has identified the accumulation of polymer nanoparticles (PNPs) in the aquatic environment as a significant threat to animal health and the food chain. The study highlights the need for effective quantitative methods to assess the bioaccumulation and translocation of PNPs in animal tissues. A new method for extracting and quantifying PNPs from animal tissues has been developed and validated using Asian clams and Tiger barb fish.

Key Takeaways:

  • The accumulation of PNPs in the aquatic environment threatens the health of animals and the food chain.
  • A new method for extracting and quantifying PNPs from animal tissues has been developed and validated using two animal models.
  • The method was successful in recovering up to 83.6% of PNPs from animal tissues.
  • PNPs were found to accumulate in the gills, mantle, and gas bladder of Asian clams and Tiger barb fish.
  • A weak linear relationship was observed between fluorescent intensities and the amount of PNPs extracted from animal tissues.
  • The research highlights the need for effective quantitative methods to assess the bioaccumulation and translocation of PNPs in animal tissues.
  • PNPs have been detected in human and animal tissues, emphasizing the importance of understanding their impact on ecosystem health.

Statistics:

  • Recovery rates of PNPs from animal tissues ranged from 81.8% to 83.6%.
  • PNPs were found to accumulate in the gills (0.053 mg/mg and 0.148 mg/mg), mantle (0.036 mg/mg and 0.105 mg/mg), and gas bladder (0.020 mg/mg and 0.098 mg/mg) of Asian clams and Tiger barb fish.
  • A weak linear relationship was observed between fluorescent intensities and the amount of PNPs extracted from animal tissues (R-squared value: 0.627).

Sources:

  • Developing methods to quantify two luminescent polymer nanoparticles inside freshwater clam and fish models. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2025;495:139003.
  • Xingliang Meng, Dept. of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore. (Phone: +65 6516 3222, Fax: +65 6779 1452)

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