A simple and effective arsenic filter based on composite iron matrix: Development and deployment studies for groundwater of Bangladesh

Drinking groundwater contaminated with naturally occurring arsenic is a worldwide public health issue. This work describes the research, development and distribution of a filter used by thousands of people in Bangladesh to obtain arsenic-free safe water. The filter removes arsenic species primarily by surface complexation reactions: =FeOH + H(2)AsO(4)(-) --> =FeHAsO(4)(-) + H(2)O (K=10(24)) and =FeOH + HAsO(4)(2-) --> =FeAsO(4)(2-) + H(2)O (K=10(29)) on a specially manufactured composite iron matrix (CIM). The filter water meets WHO and Bangladesh standards, has no breakthrough, works without any chemical treatment (pre- or post-), without regeneration, and without producing toxic wastes. It costs about $40/5 years and produce 20-30 L/hour for daily drinking and cooking need of 1-2 families. The spent material is completely…