Shiv Nadar University (SNU) has announced the discovery of a compound that can reverse environmental mercury (a heavy metal) poisoning by converting it from a highly toxic, volatile and soluble organic form (as a pollutant) into a comparatively safe, inert and stable form that renders it harmless and insoluble.
The process of converting organic mercury pollutants from a toxic, soluble state to an insoluble, non-toxic state takes a few minutes to hours, depending upon the various forms of organic mercury pollutants.
The new molecule was discovered by a team of researchers led by Gouriprasanna Roy, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, and Shiv Nadar University.
The new compound GP1 may have immense potential as a preventive against complex neurodevelopmental disorders, called Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and can also fight environmental pollution. The compound can also be used to render highly toxic and hazardous mercury build-ups in the environment (rivers and ground-water) completely benign and therefore safe for humans and animals.
The team at SNU also believes that there is a strong possibility of integrating this discovery with the medical industry that will subsequently lead to the development of pharmaceutical drugs to treat methyl-mercury poisoning in the human body. Currently, treatment for mercury-related poisoning involves removing it from the body with ‘chelation therapy’. However, there is medical evidence to show that these drugs are not very effective in removing mercury from the brain and exhibits toxic side-effects. The new molecule discovered has the potential to revolutionise the treatment for mercury poisoning.
Roy also stated that he is simultaneously working on developing another molecule to reverse lead poisoning, another heavy metal contaminant affecting environment health.
The discovery was also published in the noted international journal Angewandte Chemie .