Breakthrough Arsenic Removal Technology - Isis Project No 2493
Inexpensive method for removing heavy metals from drinking water.
Researchers in the department of Physical Chemistry at the University of Oxford have developed an exciting new method for removing Arsenic and other toxic heavy metals such as Cadmium, Cobalt and Copper from drinking water.
Arsenic and other heavy metals occur naturally in many rock formations worldwide. When underground water flows through rocks or soil that contain heavy metals, the heavy metals dissolve into the water. Drinking water contaminated with heavy metals can cause severe health problems. In particular long-term exposure to arsenic can cause cancer, gangrene and skin lesions.
Market Opportunity
Many countries have problems with arsenic contaminated drinking water. A 1998 British Geological survey showed that 46% of the water wells in Bangladesh had arsenic levels greater than the safe level of 0.01mg/L. Seven out of sixteen districts in West Bengal (India) have been reported to have ground water arsenic concentrations above 0.05mg/L. The US Environmental protection agency estimates that some 13 million of the US population are exposed to arsenic levels at or above the limit of 0.01mg/L. Other areas with major arsenic problems in drinking water include Nepal, Myanmar and parts of Vietnam. Several government-funding bodies are looking to support arsenic removal research and the development of technologies for use in the above-mentioned areas.
Intensive mining operations in many countries have also caused environmental problems. Mining of rocks with heavy metals can cause contamination of these heavy metals into the nearby water systems. The most common contaminants are Cobalt, Copper, Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic and Zinc. Heavy metal pollution from mining is occurring in many areas, including Zaire, Ghana, Korea, Peru and parts of the USA.
Scientists at the University of Oxford have developed a new, simple method, which allows arsenic and other heavy metals to be easily and quickly removed from drinking water.
The Oxford Invention
The Oxford invention is a new material that absorbs heavy metals out of water. Using carbon graphite as the base material, the surface is treated to allow large quantities of modified carbon to be attached. This modified carbon then removes large amounts of toxic heavy metals including Cd(II), Pb(II), Zn(II) and As(III) from water. Key advantages of our technology are:
- Inexpensive starting material
- Simple to manufacture
- Highly efficient removal of heavy metals
- Could be easily scaled up or used in the home
Patent Status
This work is the subject of a patent application, and Isis would like
to talk to companies able to develop this technology further. Please
contact the Isis Project Manager to discuss this opportunity.
Request Further Information: Project Number 2493 - Breakthrough Arsenic Removal Technology