Full Description

Arsenic has long been known to be a naturally occurring element in many parts of the world. Because it is a known toxin with a suspected cancer causing nature, the World Health Organization and the US Environmental Protection Agency have both established maximum acceptable concentrations in drinking water of 50 ug/L. Health and Welfare Canada in 1993 lowered the maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) to 25 ug/L. Currently, the best known technologies for arsenic removal from potable water supplies include conventional/enhanced coagulation, lime softening, and activated alumina filtration. They can be relatively expensive to install and operate, have certain limitations, and require a relatively high level of operator training and attention. Due to the increasing evidence of the adverse health effects of arsenic and the upcoming revision of the USEPA limit (expected to be 5 ug/L or lower), development of a simpler, efficient, less expensive process is desirable. This would allow many smaller communities with limited water treatment expertise to adequately treat their water to meet regulatory limits. The Village of Harvey, New Brunswick, Canada, has a population of less than 1,000, no trained water treatment personnel and a groundwater arsenic concentration measured at up to 150 ug/L. Based on extensive previous work with a filter media supplied by Filtronics Inc. of Anaheim, California, for removal of manganese, iron, zinc, vanadium and other metals--it was hypothesized this media might be suitable for use in removal of arsenic at this location. An onsite study using a pilot scale version of filtration equipment employing this media was carried out over a six week period. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of this technology for arsenic removal, and to determine its suitability and economic viability, using commercially available equipment in a "real world" trial.

Product Details

Published: 01/01/1995 ISBN(s): 089867834X Number of Pages: 9File Size: 1 file , 290 KB