Aqualife In Toxic Danger

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Not only human but fishes too are getting toxicated. A study by researchers at Purdue University has shown that a nanoparticle growing in popularity as a bactericidal agent is toxic to fish.

Tested by fathead minnows – an organism often used to test the effects of toxicity on aquatic life - nanosilver proved toxic and even lethal to the minnows.

When the nanosilver was allowed to settle, the solution became several times less toxic, but still caused malformations in the minnows.

“Silver nitrate is a lot more toxic than nanosilver, but when nanosilver was suspended, its toxicity increased tenfold. There is reason to be concerned," said Maria Sepulveda, an assistant professor of forestry and natural resources.

Sepulveda and doctoral student Geoff Laban exposed fathead minnows to nanosilver at several stages of their development. But this has happened for the first time.

Nanosilver caused malformations that included head hemorrhages and edema, and ultimately proved lethal.

“These nanosilver particles are so small they are able to cross the egg membranes and move into the fish embryos in less than a day," Sepulveda said. “They had a potentially high dose of silver in them," she added.

After the incident Nanosilver is being considered by the EPA much like a pesticide. Nanosilver effect on Human still remains unclear but can have great sanitary usage as predicted by the researchers.