Mitigating arsenic crisis in the developing world: Role of robust, reusable and selective hybrid anion exchanger (HAIX)

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 488-489; pp. 547 - 553
• Main Authors: German, Michael, Seingheng, Hul, SenGupta, Arup K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.08.2014
• Subjects: Anion exchanging; Anions - chemistry; Arsenic; Arsenic - analysis; Arsenic - chemistry; Arsenic treatment; Developing Countries; Environmental Restoration and Remediation - methods; Exchange; Nanotechnology; Polymers; Potable water; Resins; Reusable; Robust adsorbent; Social business; Sustainability; Tubes; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Purification - methods; Wells; Southeast Asia; ISEW, Southeast Asia; Cambodia; Nepal; India; GFH; HAIX; USEPA; Potable water; GFO; THF; TCLP; Sustainability; SARSACs; BVs; WHO; Social business; AA; Rs; TDS; HFOs; TSF; HMOs; LAB; EBCT; Arsenic treatment; NF; ITC; BESU; RO; Robust adsorbent; Nanotechnology
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.10.092

In trying to address the public health crisis from the lack of potable water, millions of tube wells have been installed across the world. From these tube wells, natural groundwater contamination from arsenic regularly puts at risk the health of over 100million people in South and Southeast Asia. Although there have been many research projects, awards and publications, appropriate treatment technology has not been matched to ground level realities and water solutions have not scaled to reach millions of people. For thousands of people from Nepal to India to Cambodia, hybrid anion exchange (HAIX) resins have provided arsenic-safe water for up to nine years. Synthesis of HAIX resins has been commercialized and they are now available globally. Robust, reusable and arsenic-selective, HAIX has been in operation in rural communities over numerous cycles of exhaustion–regeneration. All necessary testing and system maintenance is organized by community-level water staff. Removed arsenic is safely stored in a scientifically and environmentally appropriate manner to prevent future hazards to animals or people. Recent installations have shown the profitability of HAIX-based arsenic treatment, with capital payback periods of only two years in ideal locations. With an appropriate implementation model, HAIX-based treatment can rapidly scale and provide arsenic-safe water to at-risk populations. [Display omitted] •Durable adsorbent-based systems provide arsenic-safe water for many years.•Nanoparticle infused polymers are durable and selective trace contaminant adsorbents.•Hybrid anion exchange resins create a synergy between metal oxide nanoparticles and their polymer support.•Appropriate design and operation can make water systems profitable in remote and rural locations.