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By Jennifer Bjorhus Star Tribune October 8, 2019 — 10:24pm Text size share tweet email Print more Share on: Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Copy shortlink: http://strib.mn/2LY6 Purchase: Order Reprint Little is known about how the tiny engineered objects known as nanoparticles affect the environment when they escape. A stream of new commercial applications for the diverse, super-tiny particles — in everything from paint and dental implants to sunscreen and scratch-proof eyeglasses — have far outstripped the environmental science. New research from the University of Minnesota shows why that could be a problem. Researchers found that a bacterium commonly found in soil and water adapts rapidly when exposed to certain nanoparticles that are used in lithium ion batteries, so that the bacterium that would have died on exposure became permanently resistant. The bacteria mutated and continued to grow even when exposed to nanoparticles in twice the concentration that was previously lethal. The researchers don’t know if the mutation is dangerous, but the point is that the battery nanoparticles are doing something unintended, said U chemist Erin E. Carlson, lead author of the study. “Just because we designed them as batteries doesn’t mean that they don’t do all kinds of other things,” Carlson said in an interview. “My greatest concern is that we are putting things out in the environment without any data.” The finding was especially noteworthy given that the type of nanoparticle they studied wasn’t developed to have any special antibacterial properties. It was designed for use in a lithium-ion battery for a Nissan LEAF electric vehicle. The bacteria used in the study, called Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, is often used in environmental studies. The findings were published online in August in the journal Chemical Science. According to the study, each electric vehicle contains about 50 kilograms, or about 110 pounds, of nanoscale cathode materials. The study notes that bacteria and microbial communities are central to the functioning of natural ecosystems, and underscores the danger of contamination. “There’s a very real possibility that there are parts of ecosystems that are severely damaged,” Carlson said. University of Minnesota Chemist Erin E. Carlson is the lead author of the study. Carlson did the research in conjunction with the National Science Foundation Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology, a collaboration with more than a dozen universities and labs. She said the researchers don’t know how the bacteria adapted to the nanoparticles, but they are studying the question, with results expected in 2020. Nanoparticles, so small that hundreds of thousands of them could fit on the head of a pin, have been the subject of intense research and development for several decades. They’re now in more than 1,000 consumer products. In medicine, for example, they are being developed as an alternative to antibiotics to fight infectious diseases that show resistance to traditional antibiotics. Some see potential in copper nanoparticles as an alternative to conventional chemical pesticides such as glyphosate, the active ingredient in the weedkiller Roundup. But nanoparticles escape into the environment through industrial processing and many other pathways such as landfills and waste water treatment plants. Some degrade into contaminants and can have a range of human health impacts. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been trying to understand the toxicity of diverse nanoparticles. It considers many nanoparticles as chemical substances subject to the Toxic Substances Control Act, and has required manufacturers to report information, such as the chemical identity, how much they are producing and any research they have on environmental and health effects. Jennifer Bjorhus is a reporter covering the environment for the Star Tribune. She was a business reporter for much of her career but in recent years focused on criminal justice issues, including police use of force and responses to sexual assault. jennifer.bjorhus@startribune.com 612-673-4683 jbjorhus Star Tribune Recommends Local Minnesota scrambling after deer disposal plan falls apart October 30 Business EPA proposes testing methods for five additional kinds of PFAS November 8 New EPA lead standards would slow replacement of dangerous pipes October 10 Variety Cases of liquor recovered from 1917 shipwreck November 24 Star Tribune Recommends Local Minnesota scrambling after deer disposal plan falls apart October 30 Business EPA proposes testing methods for five additional kinds of PFAS November 8 New EPA lead standards would slow replacement of dangerous pipes October 10 Variety Cases of liquor recovered from 1917 shipwreck November 24 Star Tribune Recommends Local Minnesota scrambling after deer disposal plan falls apart October 30 Business EPA proposes testing methods for five additional kinds of PFAS November 8 New EPA lead standards would slow replacement of dangerous pipes October 10 Variety Cases of liquor recovered from 1917 shipwreck November 24 East Metro Minnesota's showdown with Water Gremlin intensifies November 6 East Metro Judge orders Water Gremlin to finalize cleanup plans November 22 Star Tribune Recommends Local Minnesota scrambling after deer disposal plan falls apart October 30 Business EPA proposes testing methods for five additional kinds of PFAS November 8 New EPA lead standards would slow replacement of dangerous pipes October 10 Variety Cases of liquor recovered from 1917 shipwreck November 24 East Metro Minnesota's showdown with Water Gremlin intensifies November 6 East Metro Judge orders Water Gremlin to finalize cleanup plans November 22 Star Tribune Recommends Local Minnesota scrambling after deer disposal plan falls apart October 30 Business EPA proposes testing methods for five additional kinds of PFAS November 8 New EPA lead standards would slow replacement of dangerous pipes October 10 Variety Cases of liquor recovered from 1917 shipwreck November 24 Star Tribune Recommends Local Minnesota scrambling after deer disposal plan falls apart October 30 Business EPA proposes testing methods for five additional kinds of PFAS November 8 New EPA lead standards would slow replacement of dangerous pipes October 10 Variety Cases of liquor recovered from 1917 shipwreck November 24 Star Tribune Recommends Local Minnesota scrambling after deer disposal plan falls apart October 30 Business EPA proposes testing methods for five additional kinds of PFAS November 8 New EPA lead standards would slow replacement of dangerous pipes October 10 Star Tribune Recommends Local Minnesota scrambling after deer disposal plan falls apart October 30 Business EPA proposes testing methods for five additional kinds of PFAS November 8 New EPA lead standards would slow replacement of dangerous pipes October 10 More From Star Tribune * Festering Buttigieg-Warren feud spills into high-stakes debate * 10 best dishes our food critic ate in 2019 * Trump rails against delay for impeachment trial in Senate * Trump blasts Christian magazine that called for his removal * Hartman: Vikings, Griffen face contract/salary cap dilemma * Flu outbreaks widespread as cases among Minnesota children spike Star Tribune Recommends * Minnesota scrambling after deer disposal plan falls apart * EPA proposes testing methods for five additional kinds of PFAS * New EPA lead standards would slow replacement of dangerous pipes * Cases of liquor recovered from 1917 shipwreck * Minnesota's showdown with Water Gremlin intensifies * Judge orders Water Gremlin to finalize cleanup plans More From Local Curious Minnesota 2 minutes ago A seagull is mirrored in a thin layer of ice at lake Maschsee in Hannover, Germany, Monday Jan. 25, 2016. (Julian Stratenschulte/dpa via AP) Why do inland cities like St. Paul have so many seagulls? In the Midway neighborhood of St. Paul — more than a thousand miles from any sea, more than a hundred miles from a Great Lake and a few miles from the Mississippi River — seagulls gather in large numbers. St. Paul 7 minutes ago A woman was robbed and dragged in a robbery Sunday after she had finished shopping. Thieves caught on video robbing woman in St. Paul, dragging her with car The brazen theft occurred outside Hmong Village. The victim was dragged for nearly 75 yards. Local 10 minutes ago Surveillance video shows woman robbed, dragged by car in St. Paul Surveillance video shows woman robbed, dragged by car in St. Paul The thief grabbed the victim's purse and jumped in a car. The victim's arm got caught in the strap and she was dragged for nearly 75 yards. Local 11 minutes ago Family of 2 Wisconsin brothers killed in Missouri sues The family of two Wisconsin men who disappeared during a trip to Missouri for their livestock business have filed a wrongful death lawsuit. Inspired 31 minutes ago Minneapolis' Edison High School band teacher Lesley Earles is working around the clock to keep music alive in her school where resources are tight and Edison's 'Mr. Holland' breathes life into dying music program Over the years, Lesley Earles has worked to pull in community support while tapping into students' interests. Top Stories * Sen. Elizabeth Warren and South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg traded barbs Thursday during the Democratic presidential debate in Los Angeles. Festering Buttigieg-Warren feud spills into high-stakes debate 6:38am * Trump rails against delay for impeachment trial in Senate 35 minutes ago * UK lawmakers OK Johnson's Brexit bill, pave way to exit EU 5 minutes ago Most Read 1. Thieves caught on video robbing woman in St. Paul, dragging her with car • St. Paul 2. Man dies after he's shot, crashes car in north Minneapolis • Minneapolis 3. Flu outbreaks widespread as cases among Minnesota children spike • Local 4. Minnesota DHS reassigns inspector general caught up in controversy • Local 5. 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