Clean Drinking Water: Solving Arsenic Crisis through a Sustainable Local Filtration Technology Abul Hussam Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry George Mason University Fairfax, Virginia USA =FeOH + H AsO 2 4 - =FeHAsO - 4 + H 2 O (K = 10 24 ) =FeOH + HAsO 2-4 =FeAsO 2-4 + H 2 O (K = 10 29 ). Roundtable on EHSRM, Inst of Medicine of National Academies, Oct 17, 2007 1
PEOPLE INVOLVED Abul K. M. Munir MSUK, Kushtia, Bangladesh Amir H. Khan Department of Chemistry, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh Abul Barkat Department of Economics, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh MSUK-SDCI Kushtia Laboratory Dr. Tahmina Begum, Abu Sayeed, Monwar Ahmed, Mir Morshedur Rahman, Mizanur Rahman, Ziaul Haq, and many others. 2
OVERVIEW Occurrence: Where? Arsenic Mitigation through Filtration 3
Tube-wells in Bangladesh 4000 ppb As (Total) Bheramara, Kushtia 170 ppb As(Total) Sadar Kushtia Arsenic free well Sadar, Kushtia 4
WATER FREE FROM TOXIC SPECIES 5
Arsenic: Toxicity and Health Effects Toxic Levels of Arsenic in Water WHO Guideline: 10 µg/l (ppb) Bangladesh Limit: 50 µg/l USEPA : 10 µg/l Dermatological Symptoms Diffuse melanosis Spotted melanosis Leucomelanosis Mucus membrane melanosis Spotted keratosis Cancer Human liver degenerates at 800 ppb Santra A, Das Gupta J, De BK, Roy B, Guha Majumder DN. Hepatic Manifestation in Chronic Heavy Metal Toxicity. Inidan J Gasroenterology. 1999, 18, 152-155 6
Bangladesh: Arsenic Scenario Population: 140 million Area: 46,560 sq. miles Tubewells: 10 million (1940, UNICEF 1970) Origin of arsenic: Groundwater (<200 m depth) Cause: Bio-geochemical reduction process Contaminated wells: 27-50% People affected: 77-95 million Arsenical skin lesions: 1.2 mil Children at risk: 35 million Cancer risk: 1-3 per 1000 people A CRITICAL PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS! (Map: Rahman et. al. ES&T. 2002, 36, 5385-5394)
Summary of Contamination Data Chakraborti and Zaman, July 2006 Report Shallow Tubewells: 51000 in 64 Districts 40.3 % with above 10 ug/l As 26.6% with above 50 ug/l Deep Tubewells: 261 wells 49.8% with above 10 ug/l 15.6% above 50 ug/l % of TWs exceeding 50 μg/l limit 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Y = 17.97 + 0.57 X R 2 = 0.29 p = 0.0019 k = 30 age groups Total N = 41688 5 10 15 20 25 30+ Age of the Tubewells (Year)
THE SOLUTION DRINK WATER FREE FROM TOXIC SPECIES 9
TOXICITY OF ARSENIC COMPOUNDS IN DECREASING ORDER R 3 As ( R = H, -CH 3, -Cl) As(III) (H 3 AsO 3 ) (RAsO) n As(V) (H 2 AsO 4-, HAsO 2-4 ) R n AsO(OH) 2-n (n= 1,2) R 4 As+ As o arsines arsenites arsenates organo-acids arsonium elemental arsenic Source: Reimer and Cullen, Chemical Review 10
ARSENIC MITIGATION THROUGH FILTRATION Zero Valent Iron (Fe o ) To Composite Iron Matrix (CIM) 11
Simple and Effective Arsenic Filter Based on Fe o (1999) 3-KOLSHI FILTER 3-Pitcher Filter 12
Environmental Technology Verification for Arsenic Mitigation (ETVAM) Reports ETVAM 1 Rapid Assessment of Household Level Arsenic Removal Technologies RAPID Phase I - Final Draft Report, Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigation Water Supply Project (BAMWSP) / DFID / Water Aid, January 2001 (ICP Analysis) ETVAM 2 Performance Evaluation and Verification of Five Arsenic Removal Technologies: ETVAM Field Testing and Technology Verification Program. Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhaka, Bangladesh. September 2003 13
RAPID ASSESSMENT: BAMWSP/DFID/WATER AID Phase II Report, March 2001, WS Atkins Sono 3-K CIM BDL-13-28 ppb ; 34 L/day; Tk 300 T Ion Exchange, USA 3-38-220 ppb; 201 L/day; Tk 12000 14
Arsenic Filter Based on Composite Iron Matrix Flow: 20-60 Liters per hour As(Total) < 10 ppb (CL 95%) As(III) < 2 ppb (CL 99.9%) Life: 5 Years Minimum Maintenance: Very low Cost: US $35.00 - $40.00 Waste: Completely nontoxic Government approved and ETVAM program verified SONO FILTER 15
SONO Filter Based on CIM SONO FILTER 16
Filter Production & Distribution Measurement of effluent total arsenic less than 20 ppb is critical to filter quality control 17
Filter Distribution 18
SONO: Field Test with Groundwater 1 1800 14 As(Total), ug/l 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 2 3 4 As(Total), ug/l 12 10 8 6 4 2 y = -0.0003x + 8.9937 R 2 = 0.4001 0 0 10000 20000 30000 0 0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 Water Yield, L Water Yield, L Blue: As in Tubewell water, Pink: Filtered water. Right graph shows progressive decrease in arsenic. Initial [Fe] total = 6.46 mg/l (#4) 19
Performance of Blank Filters As(III) or As(Tot), ug/l 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 As(III), Sand Filter As(Tot), Sand Filter As(III), Brick+Sand+Charcoal As(Tot), Brick+Sand+Charcoal 0 500 1000 1500 2000 Total volume, L Figure shows blank filters maximum contaminant limit (MCL) breakthrough occurs the first day even at 88 L. Groundwater composition: As(III): 300 ug/l, As(total) 996 ug/l, and Fe(II) 1.0 mg/l. The filtered water properties: Sand: Temperature 27.3 C, ph 7.6 ± 0.1, TDS 210 ± 6 (us/cm), E h 158 ± 6 mv vs. NHE. Sand+Brick+Charcoal: Temperature 25.7 C, ph 7.9 ± 0.1, TDS 208 ± 12 (us/cm), E h 148 ± 6 mv vs. NHE. Filtered water has no detectable total Fe (III + II). 20
Authors Home Court Para, Kushtia Village Home Khordosadhua, Koksha, Kushtia Years in use: 4.5 3.2 Total water filter (L): 125,000 L 100,000 As(T) influent (ppb): 155 ±7 600 ± 6 As(T) filtered (ppb): 7 ± 1 8 ± 1 Fe(T) influent (ppm): 4.85 ± 0.25 5.09 ± Fe(T) filtered (ppm): 0.228 ± 0.04 0.245 ± 0.05 Cost (Taka)/L: 0.016 0.024 N 110 56 21
SONO Filter Performance in the Field Parameters Fatic Alampur Kaliskhnpur Juniadah Years 2.32 3.6 4.4 2.5 Water Yield (L) 67,760 104,960 128,480 72,960 Number of Measurements 10 14 56 8 As(Total)- Input, ppb 32 ± 7 410 ± 15 1139 ± 89 2423 ± 87 As(Total), Filter, ppb <2 8 ± 2 7 ± 2 8 ± 4 Fe(Total) Input, ppm 20.7±0.6 10.86 ± 0.56 1.53 ± 0.08 0.6 ± 0.03 Fe(Total) Filter, ppm 0.22 ± 0.02 0.242 ± 0.03 0.25 ± 0.05 0.26 ± 0.03 Cost, Taka/L 0.031 0.020 0.016 0.028 22
One Year Summary of Filter Performance in Hazigong, Comilla 165 SONO Filters, 300 Arsenicosis Patients + Household (3000 people) Tubewell water: 600 700 ppb ( > 50% As(III)) Filtered water: <2 ppb (70%), <10 ppb (20%), <30 ppb (10%) (n= 145) No change in flow rate, no maintenance for 12 months Later, 400 more SONO filters were installed Ref: DOUBLE-BLIND, RANDOMIZED, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL OF ANTIOXIDANT VITAMINS AND MINERALS IN THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC ARSENIC POISONING IN BANGLADESH, Final Report 2003, G. H. Rabbani et. al., Bangladesh Arsenic Control Society Research Group. Sponsored by UNICEF and Government of 23
Evaluation of Grainger Challenge Arsenic Treatment System Species Influent (mg/l) ± SD Effluent (mg/l) ± SD As (Total) 0.340 ± 0.031 0.007 ± 0.003 As(III) 0.047 ± 0.060 0.001 ± 0.001 As(V) 0.293 ± 0.045 0.006 ± 0.003 Iron 2.014 ± 0.112 0.008 ± 0.012 Calcium 34.36 ± 1.46 41.99 ± 4.37 Aluminum 0.230 ± 0.037 0.066 ± 0.017 Magnesium 11.74 ± 0.46 7.81 ± 0.031 Sodium 33.58 ± 0.09 32.96 ± 1.49 Silicon 2.456 ± 0.394 1.556 0.480 Sulfate 75.879 ± 7.302 66.483 ± 6.357 Chloride 95.926 ± 10.735 90.32 ± 24.089 Nitrate 2.191 ± 0.300 1.581 ± 0.715 Phosphate 0.579 ± 0.205 0.404 ± 0.103 Water Quality: EXCELLENT 24 TCLP of used CIM: Non detectable and non hazardous (Limit 0.50 mg/l)
Reactions with Composite Iron Matrix (CIM) CIM surface and soluble iron Fe(II) + O 2 O2.- + Fe(III)OH2+; log k = -13.77 + 2 ph Fe(II) + O2.- + 2H+ Fe(III) + H 2 O 2 ; k = 10 7 Fe(II) + CO3.(2-) Fe(III) + HCO3- H 2 O 2 + H 3 AsO 3 H 2 AsO 4- + H 2 O + H + CIM and hydrous ferric oxide, HFO. =FeOH + Fe(III) + 3 H 2 O Fe(OH) 3 (s, HFO) + =FeOH + 3H+ ( =FeOH is the surface of hydrated iron ) CIM and surface complexation =FeOH + H 2 AsO 4 - =FeHAsO 4- + H 2 O (K = 10 24 ) =FeOH + HAsO 4 2- =FeAsO 4 2- + H 2 O (K = 10 29 ). 25
Drinking water inorganic quality parameters: Comparison of 3-Kolshi and Sono bucket filter with international and national standards. Results include independent test results by WS Atkins. 3-Kolshi was approved by the Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigation Water Supply Project, BG for household use. Constituent USEPA (MCL) WHO, Guideline Bangladesh 3-Kolshi Water b Sono Bucket Filter Water b Arsenic (total)- 0.01 0.01 0.05 0.003-0.018 0.003-0.020 mg/l Iron (total) - mg/l 0.3 0.3 0.3 (1.0) 0.08-0.49 0.2 ± 0.02 ph 6.5-8.5 6.5-8.5 6.5-8.5 7.74 ± 0.1 7.7 ± 0.1 Sodium - mg/l 200 26.7 ± 3.1 19-25 Calcium - mg/l 75 (200) 59.1 ± 7.5 5-87 Copper - mg/l 1.3 1.0-2.0 1.5 0.005 <0.002 Manganese - mg/l 0.05 0.1-0.5 0.1 (0.5) <0.001 <0.01 Zinc - mg/l 5 3.0 5 (15) 0.01 <0.007 Aluminum -mg/l 0.05-0.2 0.2 0.1(0.2) 0.03 <0.022 Lead -mg/l 0.015 0.01 0.10 0.006 <0.004 Chromium, mg/l 0.1 0.05 0.05 <0.002 <0.002 Cadmium, mg/l 0.005 0.003 0.01 <0.001 <0.001 Barium, mg/l 2.0 0.7 1.0 0.063±0.01 <0.082 Antimony, mg/l 0.006 0.005 <0.013 <0.013 Molybdenum, mg/l 0.07 0.003 <0.002 Nickel, mg/l 0.1 0.02 <0.002 <0.002 Selenium, mg/l 0.05 0.01 <0.012 <0.002 Silver, mg/l 0.1 <0.002 <0.002 Chloride, mg/l 250 250 200 (600) 10-40 2.0-12.2 26
Bacteriological Test Data Thermo tolerance coliform (ttc/100 ml) SUMMARY Arsenic Mitigation Pilot Project: Bacteriological field test report Dhalipara & Doazipara of Muradpur Union in Sitakunda Duration: April 2005 - March 2006 193 SONO filters tested at 61 locations, 264 tests 16 test with 2 counts, 248 with 0 count Village Education Resource Center (VERC) B-30, Ekhlas Uddin Khan Road, Anandapur, Savar, Dhaka-1340, Bangladesh. 27
Singing Group Performing Songs on Arsenic and Filter Use in a Village Gathering Khordosadhua, Kokhsa, Kushtia. Jan 11, 2004 Kushtia Motivational Singers 28
SONO TM Arsenic Filter at Work : 4000 ppb to 7 ppb As 4000 ppb As Jagassar, Bheramara, Bangladesh 7 ppb As after SONO Filtered SONO by SDC/MSUK, Kushtia, Bangladesh 29
Managing Spent Material and Waste Disposal Issues 30
How much arsenic is on the ground? 5 million working tubewells 100 L/ day with 100 ug/l arsenic 50 kg arsenic /day 18,250 kg arsenic / year At 50% level total arsenic = 91,250 kg / 10 yrs Most of the arsenic is bound to soil Iron bound arsenic has very low bioavailability 31
TCLP and SONO Filter TCLP new limit for arsenic = 0.50 mg/l 32
CIM DISPOSAL AND RECYCLING 1. CIM is a natural non toxic material 2. CIM can be disposed in the open 3. CIM does not leach arsenic (Grainger-USEPA) 4. CIM can be recycled and reused 5. CIM can be used to make metallic iron SONO IS A GREEN FILTER Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) of used CIM: Non detectable and non hazardous (Limit 0.50 mg/l) 33
Victims of Ground Water Arsenic Poisoning in Bangladesh Md. Humayan Kabir at the age of 8 and at the age of 12 years. He is drinking arsenic free water from MSUK s SONO FILTER for 4 years. Now he is safe. Melanosis in Body Keratosis in Palm 34
USAGE INFORMATION (2001- May 2007) 42,500 SONO TM filters installed in 18 districts 60-180 liters per day consumed for 2-5 years >1 Million direct beneficiaries >1 Billion liter of clean water consumed Cost: <0.0023 Taka / Liter 35
Students carrying filtered water home 36
SONO Dual Filters 80 L/ hour 2423 to 8 ppb As(T) 37
IN WATER PURIFICATION Surface water, groundwater for drinking Rainwater and sea-water Piped water at origin and in-house FILTRATION IS THE KEY 38
Organizations Involved Chemistry Department, George Mason University, USA SONO Diagnostic Center EI, Kushtia MSUK: Manob Sakti Unnayan Kendro, Kushtia Die Lichtbruche, Germany HDRC: Human Development Research Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh Quasem-Nahar Trust Fund, Kushtia 39
FOR INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT Abul Hussam abulhussam@gmail.com Dr. A. K. M. Munir Manob Sakti Unnayan Kendro (MSUK) Courtpara, Kushtia Bangladesh 40