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Impact of parabens on drinking water bacteria and their biofilms: The role of exposure time and substrate materials
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Researchers studied how parabens, which are commonly detected in drinking water, affect bacterial biofilm formation on different pipe materials used in water distribution systems. The study found that methylparaben exposure significantly increased biofilm growth, density, and bacterial virulence factors, with effects varying depending on the type of plastic pipe material, raising concerns about water quality in distribution networks.
Parabens have been detected in drinking water (DW) worldwide, however, their impact on DW microbial communities remains to be explored. Microorganisms can easily adapt to environmental changes. Therefore, their exposure to contaminants of emerging concern, particularly parabens, in DW distribution systems (DWDS) may affect the microbiological quality and safety of the DW reaching the consumers tap. This work provides a pioneer evaluation of the effects of methylparaben (MP), propylparaben (PP), butylparaben (BP), and their combination (MIX), in bacterial biofilms formed on different surfaces, representative of DWDS materials - high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PPL) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, isolated from DW, were used to form single and dual-species biofilms on the surface materials selected. The exposure to MP for 7 days caused the most significant effects on biofilms, by increasing their cellular culturability, density, and thickness up to 233%, 150%, and 224%, respectively, in comparison to non-exposed biofilms. Overall, more pronounced alterations were detected for single biofilms than for dual-species biofilms when HDPE and PPL, demonstrating that the surface material used affected the action of parabens on biofilms. Swimming motility and the production of virulence factors (protease and gelatinase) by S. maltophilia were increased up to 141%, 41%, and 73%, respectively, when exposed to MP for 7 days. The overall results highlight the potential of parabens to interfere with DW bacteria in planktonic state and biofilms, and compromise the DW microbiological quality and safety.
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Researchers examined the safety of drinking water distributed through plastic pipes made of PVC and HDPE, which are increasingly replacing metal pipes. They found that these plastic pipes can leach chemical compounds into the water and may promote different microbial growth patterns compared to metal pipes. The study highlights the need for better monitoring of both chemical and microbiological quality in drinking water systems that use plastic infrastructure.
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Researchers studied how different hydraulic conditions in drinking water distribution pipes affect microplastic biofilm development and microbial community structures. The study found that water flow velocity significantly influenced biofilm formation on microplastic surfaces, shear stress distribution, and the composition of microbial communities, highlighting potential water quality concerns from the interaction of microplastics and biofilms in water supply systems.
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Researchers found that microplastics and chemical leachates released from polypropylene drinking water pipes can promote antimicrobial resistance and virulence in the microbial communities that form inside the pipes. Exposure to chlorination, heating, and freeze-thaw cycles accelerated microplastic generation and chemical leaching from the pipes. The findings suggest that plastic plumbing materials may be an underappreciated factor in drinking water safety.
Biofilm induced microplastics and microbial metabolites release from Polypropylene Random pipes in drinking water distribution systems
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Researchers investigated how biofilm colonisation of polypropylene random copolymer (PPR) pipes used in drinking water distribution systems drives surface deterioration and releases microplastics and microbial metabolites into water, using SEM, flow cytometry with 16S rRNA sequencing, and GC-MS analysis. They found that biofilm formation progressively roughened pipe surfaces through microbial colonisation, with biofilm-induced corrosion generating MPs and secondary metabolites that pose water safety risks under long-term deployment conditions.
Emerging contaminants migration from pipes used in drinking water distribution systems: a review of the scientific literature
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Researchers reviewed the migration of emerging contaminants from water distribution pipes into drinking water, focusing on microplastics, bisphenol A, phthalates, and other chemicals. The study found that pipe materials can release these contaminants into tap water, posing potential human health concerns and highlighting the need for better monitoring of distribution system contributions to drinking water contamination.
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