NanoTech offers the following services: Analysis of a water sample for the presence of a defined bio-active chemical Analysis of a water sample for an overview of classes of potentially harmful bio-active chemicals that my be present Accurate quantitation of minute amounts of specific bio-active chemicals in a water sample The sustained availability of food and clean water is essential for maintaining health and a quality of life. However, the use of medicines, pesticides and pharmacologically active chemicals often lead to the unintended pollution of water. Some of these chemicals are known to have a major and profoundly negative impact on human health, and are especially disruptive in the development of fetuses, babies and young children. The danger of chemical pollutants in drinking water that may have serious health implications is deemed serious enough by the Environmental Protection Agency in the US to fund an extensive Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program to identify all possibly dangerous chemicals in our drinking water. Examples of compound that we can detect at NanoTech in drinking water that are extremely detrimental to child development, particularly during a critical window in development, include the following: DDT (Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) Use: Destruction of mosquitoes in South Africa in regions with endemic malaria Effect: May inhibit development of female reproductive organs and is associated with reduced male fertility PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls) Use: Industrial coolant and lubricant Effect: Increases childhood obesity and risk of developing diabetes Phthalates (eg. bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) Use: Used in toys, medical tubing and cosmetics Effect: May cause birth defects of the male reproductive system and masculine neurological disorders Microcystins Use: Naturally occuring cyclic heptapeptides in some cyanobacterial genera; the toxin is released into drinking water with cell rupture Effect: Microcystin-LR is a liver toxin (inhibitor of eukaryotic protein serine/threonine phosphatases 1 and 2A) Many, many other examples in the scientific literature At NanoTech (a biotech spin-out company of University of the Free State) we use mass spectrometry to find these and other chemical contaminants at extremely low concentrations (typically 1-10ng/liter) in water. This knowledge helps water distributers and resalers, as well as manufacturers of bottled spring water, with making informed decisions about the quality of their products, and in designing and implementing remedial actions timeously, if needed. [Learn more about endocrine disruptors]
To find out more about our services and pricing, please contact: Dr. Gabré Kemp e-mail: kempg@ufs.ac.za Telephone: +27-(0)51-401-3231 Facsimile: +27-(0)51-401-9069 NanoTech Advanced Biomolecular Research Cluster University of the Free State PO Box 339 Bloemfontein 9300