Fungi May Help With Asbestos Cleanups

Posted by timothy on Monday January 20, 2003 @02:40PM from the repurposing dept.

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."

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Re:What happens by k98sven · 2003-01-21 02:17 · Score: 4, Interesting

when that excess iron enters the food chain? People talk about GM crops, but things like this are where the danger lies.

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.