Bugs could take on toxic chemicals

17 September 1999

Bugs could take on toxic chemicals

POLLUTION-eating bugs, “turbocharged” with a diet of chicken droppings and cow dung, could clean up land laced with toxic pesticides.

Tests of land contaminated with DDT, toxaphene and dieldrin found that naturally-occuring bacteria could break down more than 90% of the toxins.

The research was presented at the British Association science conference in Sheffield yesterday.

• The Times 17/09/99 page 16 (In Brief)