Toxic to Clean
Professor Kalantar-zadeh has discovered a way to make this health crisis potentially go away by using a cheap filtration device and the science of chemistry. He has found a way to turn otherwise toxic water into drinkable water within mere minutes by using a simple filtration device. The method works by using nano filters made of aluminum oxide (which are highly porous) and pouring contaminated water down this filtration device. Any lead or metal contaminants in the water will stick to the aluminum oxide due to high levels of affinity. The water comes out the other side after several filtrations and is completely safe to drink. However, the question remains of how much this would cost?
Possibly the best part about this filtration method is how cheap it is and how commercially available it can be to regions of the world who are both in great poverty and who lack clean water. Manufacturing of the filter would cost a mere ten cents and the best part? This is a green product and uses minimal energy in the creation of the aluminum oxide. Professor Kalantar-zadeh has said that he wishes the world to know of this filter, as it can be made in a kitchen and used among hundreds of thousands of people who are suffering from diseases related to contaminated water. Now the only question remaining is how do we get this filtration method out to the world and what will be the role of major manufacturing companies?
Posted by “Lauren Hiller” (2)
Reference: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180925140522.htm
This filter targets metals in the water. What about bacteria? There must be some water that has some poison in it somewhere that is not magnetic. Also distribution of this product all over the world seems a heavy task that no one would be willing to do. This seems like devoted lifework of a bunch of multimillionaire philanthropists, flying these materials, let alone starting a company that produces these materials by the millions for people who might not even have currency. There are a lot of steps to making this filter work, and it only filters out metals. Plus the biggest problem isn't that they don't have clean water, many of these people don't have water period and they have to walk 6 hours there and 6 hours back, carrying like five gallons on their heads.
ReplyDeleteWhile it does not say in the articles I have read about this filter whether or not it filters out bacteria, the fact remains that this filter can aid in removing a lot of much more toxic metals and contaminants especially in places like Africa and Asia where these contaminant levels are so much higher than is safe. To add to that, yes, some areas may have to walk very far in order to just get water, but isn't this device a great idea so that at least they are getting clean water and their walk will be worth it? Adding to the distribution part, the people who created this simply want to spread the idea; The fact is you can make this in your kitchen if you have the right tools. If governments play it right, they could easily aid in issues with water contamination by taking the knowledge being offered to them.
Delete-Lauren Hiller
As the above commenter stated, this would help eliminate metals however other contaminants may still remain. I read that Al2O3 primarily removes fluoride. I wonder if it can help remove other contaminants such as mercury and arsenic?
ReplyDeleteThe creator of this filter, Zavabeti, has actually confirmed that they have done research and found that is it effective at removing other contaminants such as mercury, sulfates and phosphates. Plus it eliminates nearly no waste and is completely environmentally friendly.
DeleteAbove comment by Lauren Hiller
Delete^^ Above Comment by Priya Bikkani
ReplyDeleteI have the same question as the commenters above on whether or not this device could filter out anything else besides the metal. Overall, it is quite nice to hear that people in the world are thinking of ways to help those in need in other countries. The people living there are too worried about other things such as how to literally survive each day, they do not have the spare time to sit down and figure out how to create filtering devices. However, I've seen videos online of how far people would go for clean water, though, sometimes taking hours to boil the dirty water a certain way to get this tiny bit of clean water.
ReplyDeleteBacteria is a big problem and it shouldn't be ignored as stated above. However, having any filters at all in African countries would make the water much cleaner even if the only parts removed are the unwanted metals. It feels good to see that people are trying to create something cheap that could be used all around the world and help people drink clean water. I think that if this idea got further developed and they were able to figure out the bacteria problem without the cost changing too much, it would be great
ReplyDelete-Olga Egkorova
This is very interesting and this filter sort of reminds me of a Brita filter but in a cheaper and maybe even more accessible way. Hopefully companies realize how easy this filter can be made and make it into a more mainstream option to be used In countries that do not have access to water and people would no longer have to walk hours and miles in order to get water. Seeing science improve lives is what makes it so interesting and important. Has there been any companies that have considered or tired to implement this filter in production yet?
ReplyDeletePosted by "Edwin Montecinos"