Guwahati: Researchers at IIT-Guwahati have developed a nanosensor from milk protein and thymine for instant detection of cancer-causing water pollutants, the institute said on Monday.

Using carbon dots and ultraviolet light, the sensor can detect mercury and harmful antibiotic contamination in less than 10 seconds.

With rapid urbanisation, industrial activities, and overuse of pharmaceuticals, water contamination is becoming a pressing issue, putting ecosystems and human health at risk worldwide.

Tetracyclines, commonly used for pneumonia and respiratory infections, can enter the environment if not disposed of properly, contaminating water and causing antibiotic resistance and other health hazards. Similarly, organic mercury can cause cancer, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease, and other life-threatening conditions.

Detecting these pollutants accurately and quickly is essential to protect water quality and public health.

The IIT-Guwahati research team has created a nanosensor built from extremely small materials a few billionths of a metre in size. The sensor uses carbon dots that glow under ultraviolet light. In the presence of harmful substances such as mercury or tetracyclines, the glow dims, providing a quick and visible signal of contamination.

To ensure versatility, the sensor has been tested in various environments such as tap and river water, milk, urine, and serum samples. The research is at a laboratory stage and findings are subject to further validation.