Fungi May Help With Asbestos Cleanups 31
Makarand writes "Asbestos cleanups are tricky as disturbed soil can
disperse and make asbestos fibers airborne. Now scientists
are developing bioremediation measures that involve
allowing iron-gathering fungi to grow on asbestos contaminated
soil and render the asbestos harmless
according to this
article in Nature. The toxicity
of asbestos is partly due to its iron content and
microorganisms can help by removing it from the asbestos. Also, the fungi bind asbestos fibers
into a web making it difficult for them to become airborne. Identifying the asbestos-attacking genes and introducing them into other microorganisms may be the next step in fighing asbestos pollution."
Good news (Score:5, Insightful)
Imagine if they could extend this to handle diseases and other toxic chemicals - it could spell a much safer world for everyone. No more anthrax-in-envelopes killing people! Far less dangerous workplaces at chemical production plants. Way to go!
Re:Good news (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Good news (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Good news (Score:2, Informative)
Here's another example of a cleanup site, the Coalinga Mine Superfund Site, at the EPA site [epa.gov], an area that is, fortunately, much more sparsely populated than Libby, MT. It's interesting to note that major aspects of the cleanup were to tear the buildings down then bury all the debris, divert a stream away from the tailings pile, and put up a fence.... I'm sure there are much worse sites but it sure sounds like "file it and forget about it" to me. Let's get some fungi in there to actually chemically break down some of that asbestos.
Re:Good news --is it really that rare? (Score:3, Interesting)
The scientists doing the routine baby-steps-forward type of work, especially in non-sexy areas of research, are not the ones getting the big publicity. With regards to this topic in particular, there are many scientists working on bioremediation efforts with biological organisms, including bacteria that metabolize toxic chemicals or "treat" sewage or oil spills, plants that absorb heavy metals, etc. Try doing some searches for more info and you might be surprised what is already possible.
Disclosure: I'm a scientistst, so I'm biased to believe that many scientists are doing something beneficial for the world...
Re:Good news --is it really that rare? (Score:2)
Re:Good news --is it really that rare? (Score:1)
most of the scientific 'advances' reported in the media are trivial or non-beneficial
Sure, feel free to complain about what the news media reports on and how they describe it-- sounds like we are in agreement on that topic.
Re:Good news (Score:3, Insightful)
It's precicely that kind of attitude that gives science a bad name.
It's also rubbish. Science has done more to help humanity than you realize, and in more ways than you choose to believe. Scientists are not about destroying the world, but they are about discovering as much as possible about it, in as inobtrusively as possible.
Then, if somebody finds a use for whatever they discover, so be it. But that's the business end of the deal, and has little to do with science, or understanding.
Re:Good news (Score:2)
It's also rubbish. Science has done more to help humanity than you realize, and in more ways than you choose to believe. Scientists are not about destroying the world, but they are about discovering as much as possible about it, in as inobtrusively as possible.
Woah! I'm sorry my comment mislead you. I'm a Science/Engineering student, having done Physics and Maths - I appreciate what scientists have done and are continuing to do. I also appreciate that many scientists don't necessarily care about the practical applications of their work. That's fine - I congratulate them. Having completed a Pure Mathematics major, I can appreciate their POV.
I guess I didn't make it clear enough that my gripe lay with the media. I'll be sure to point it out more clearly next time
Re:Good news (Score:2, Informative)
My High School was built in 1953, and the asbestos in it have never been removed. In fact, a few days ago I went wandering with a stage crew friend and she showed me all the neat places like up above the auditorium ceiling (200 or so feet above the ground, much fun) and there were all sorts of comforting "DANGER: ASBESTOS" signs up there. And its not like this area is shut off from the rest of the school; just walk through a doorway, climb up two ladders and you're there. I know that a couple rooms in this area of the school have been closed off and students told they are definitly not allowed to be there any more due to the asbestos in the air, though. But yeah, asbestos is definitly still a problem, even in public buildings. (and schools!)
If there is no "immediate danger" with the asbestos, they don't go about removing it from buildings. It is left there until they have to remove it, which I think my school is (finally) going to do pretty soon when the start rennovating.
I'll loan them the stuff growing in my bathroom. (Score:5, Funny)
Disclaimer (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Disclaimer (Score:2, Funny)
Do not taunt ASBESTOS-EATING-BACTERIA [faqs.org].
Cleaning up... (Score:3, Interesting)
Did they also come up with something to get rid of the fungi once all the asbestos is gone?
OSR (Score:2, Funny)
Lisa: But isn't that a bit short-sighted? What happens when we're overrun by lizards?
Skinner: No problem. We simply release wave after wave of Chinese needle snakes. They'll wipe out the lizards.
Lisa: But aren't the snakes even worse?
Skinner: Yes, but we're prepared for that. We've lined up a fabulous type of gorilla that thrives on snake meat.
Lisa: But then we're stuck with gorillas!
Skinner: No, that's the beautiful part. When wintertime rolls around, the gorillas simply freeze to death.
Re:Cleaning up... (Score:1)
It seems that the Bolivian Tree Lizard [snpp.com] loves eating fungi almost as much it loves pigeons, and once we're overrun by them we'll just release wave after wave of Chinese Needle Snake. The beautiful part is, however, the Gorillas we have lined up that thrive on snake meat, as once they've finished off the snakes they'll freeze to death during the wintertime!
Re:Cleaning up... (Score:1)
Is it American fungus? (Score:3, Funny)
Slashdot off topic? (Score:1, Offtopic)
It is interesting reading about fungi. However, isn't Slashdot a little bit off topic these days? Is there anyone out there who is still interested in computing?
Re:Slashdot off topic? (Score:1)
I like the science stories, too (Score:2)
I like the science stories, too, and I said that. However, I think there should be more stories about computing. I can go elsewhere for my news on other topics; I need Slashdot for news about computing.
It does not work to turn off science stories, because that eliminates science stories about computing.
Did you notice that the stories are dominated by those entered by Timothy? Did you notice that Michael rarely enters a new story now? The character of Slashdot has changed.
Re:Slashdot off topic? (Score:2)
What happens (Score:2)
Re:What happens (Score:5, Interesting)
Oh, please.. get a clue. This is IRON we're talking about,
one of the most well-known substances around.
(our knowledge goes back to.. well, the iron age..)
Iron does *not* bioaccumulate.
Iron has a low level of toxicity, almost all cases of iron-poisoning are
due to children swallowing large amounts of iron tablets.
Also, the risk of this bacteria spreading is minimal. Being able to eat asbestos does not provide you with any evolutionary advantages.
You might as well propose a ban on cast-iron skillets.
Re:What happens (Score:2)
Bill 62-204c for immediate legislative action:
Whereas many children die each year from iron poisoning, and whereas cast-iron skillets contain leathal levels of iron, let it be resolved to ban cast-iron skillets on this day January twenty second of the year two thousand and three.
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