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01 / 05
The T-Shirt Chewing Enzyme Ready to Tackle Plastic Waste

BBC | Pollution

The T-Shirt Chewing Enzyme Ready to Tackle Plastic Waste

“Over eight years they re-engineered LCC – now LCCICCG – to become a trained PET specialist.

The enzyme is now so efficient that it can completely break the PET polymer down to its constituent monomers—the chemicals producers need to make new plastic.

Prof Marty likens it to breaking apart a pearl necklace.

‘We are using an enzyme that you can consider a molecular scissors,’ he says. ‘We break down the link between the pearls, liberate the pearls and in this way, after purification, we can sell these pearls again.'”

From BBC.

The Guardian | Pollution

How Europe’s Dirtiest River Was Brought Back to Life

“For more than a century, putrid fumes emanated from the ‘sewer of the Ruhr’, creating a pungent whiff that assaulted towns throughout Germany’s industrial heartland. But today, the Emscher bears little resemblance to Europe’s dirtiest river. Water that used to be fouled by factory waste and human excrement have been free from effluent since 2021. The river system, the main part of which was once considered biologically dead, is witnessing the return of an abundance of life.”

From The Guardian.

European Environment Agency | Pollution

European Union Reports Pollution Lower in 2023 than in 2005

“In 2023, emissions of all pollutants were lower than in 2005 (or in 2000 for PM) (Table 3.1).Emission trends for NOX, NMVOCs, SOX, NH3 and PM 2.5 are presented in Figure 3.1. For the main pollutants, the largest reductions, in percent, across the EU were for SOX emissions. SOX reduced by 95% since 1990 and by 14% since the previous reporting cycle. This was followed by NOX,which reduced by 66% since 1990 and by 3% since the previous reporting cycle. NMVOCs reduced by 63% since 1990 and by 4% since the previous reporting cycle. NH3 reduced by 36%since 1990, while the emissions did not reduce since the previous reporting cycle. PM 2.5 reduced by 41% since 2000 and by 6% since the previous reporting cycle.”

From European Environment Agency.

Cambridge University | Pollution

Gut Microbes Could Protect Us from Toxic “Forever Chemicals”

“Scientists at the University of Cambridge have identified a family of bacterial species, found naturally in the human gut, that absorb various PFAS molecules from their surroundings.  When nine of these bacterial species were introduced into the guts of mice to ‘humanise’ the mouse microbiome, the bacteria rapidly accumulated PFAS eaten by the mice – which were then excreted in faeces.

The researchers also found that as the mice were exposed to increasing levels of PFAS, the microbes worked harder, consistently removing the same percentage of the toxic chemicals. Within minutes of exposure, the bacterial species tested soaked up between 25% and 74% of the PFAS.

The results are the first evidence that our gut microbiome could play a helpful role in removing toxic PFAS chemicals from our body – although this has not yet been directly tested in humans.

The researchers plan to use their discovery to create probiotic dietary supplements that boost the levels of these helpful microbes in our gut, to protect against the toxic effects of PFAS.”

From Cambridge University.

The Guardian | Leisure

Paris Reopens Seine River After Century-Long Swimming Ban

“Parisians and tourists flocked to take a dip in the Seine River this weekend after city authorities gave the green light for it to be used for public swimming for the first time in more than a century.

The opening followed a comprehensive clean-up programme sped up by its use as a venue in last year’s Paris Olympics after people who regularly swam in it illegally, lobbied for its transformation.

The outgoing mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, also helped to champion the plans, jumping in the river herself before the Olympics.

About 1,000 swimmers a day will be allowed access to three bathing sites on the banks of the Seine for free, until the end of August.”

From The Guardian.