Why technology often fails to replicate the “natural services” of ecosystems
When we chlorinate water, or use other similar biocides, we create an environment toxic to many microbes (including many fecal-oral parasites). This has saved many millions of lives. However, this same intervention has also favored the persistence of another kind of parasite, nontuberculous mycobacteria. Nontuberculous mycobacteria turn out to be relatively resistant to chlorine. As a result, chlorination creates conditions in which nontuberculous mycobacteria thrive.
Comments
Post a Comment