Blog 6: Nano-Velcro detects mercury pollution in water

     A nanoparticle system called Nano-Velcro that has been developed by american university is used to help detect small levels of heavy metal in the water.  Traces of mercury dump in river and lakes can end up in the water and fish which can end up being consumed by human.  The new system was developed the Northwestern University and their studies had been published. The leading author Mr. Grzybowski explains that the system being used to detect mercury and its toxic derivative, is time consuming and plus it can only detect quantities that are already on a toxic level. Mr Grzybowski also claims that their method is better than the regular state-of-art-method because if individuals drink polluted water of  low level mercury it will continue to add up and cause some type of sickness down the road.  With the system consumers in the future could check their tap water for toxic metals.  This new system have a strip of glass that is covered by hairy nanoparticles that can be put under water. A positively charged item such as methyl mercury comes between two hairs and the hairs shut close and it is conducted by electricity. A voltage-measuring device calculates the results.  Scientist are trying to research mercury at its most common form, methyl mercury, it goes up the food chain and it is at is highest in a big predatory fish which is swordfish and tuna.  In mostly America, france, and Canada, public health authorities advise pregnant women to reduce the amount of fish they it because, mercury can effect the nervous system in fetuses.
     I think the Nano-Velcro is an excellent way to prevent mercury contamination on a human because of the fact I detects small levels of heavy metal which can prevent future contamination or diseases on a human body. Compared to the old system it only detected high levels of heavy metal so you could still be taking in small levels of mercury and never know.  As the article stated I do believe it is important for pregnant women to reduce the amount of fish they eat because of the fact the mercury can effect their nervous system which can probably affect the baby.