7 Methods To Remove Arsenic From Water? {All Proven}

Arsenic happens in bedrock or soil in the United States, including parts of Massachusetts. In New Hampshire, during the 1800s, it was mined commercially first. In 1985 in the US, arsenic was used and imported. The important activities that pass arsenic include coal ash disposal, apple orchard spraying, and utilization of some pressure-treated wood.

Groundwater naturally contains inorganic arsenic in Argentina, Chile, Bangladesh, Mexico, China, India, and the United States, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

There are also concerns about arsenic contamination of groundwater in many countries where arsenic is widely used in industrial processes. Arsenic exposure at work has raised concerns. Therefore, I will inform you of the ways in which arsenic can be removed from the water. Read on to learn more about it.

What is Arsenic?

Arsenic is a highly toxic metalloid found in groundwater around the world. It is present in its inorganic form, which can enter the water supply through natural deposits and various forms of pollution. Pesticides, for example, can settle and leach into nearby groundwater, while factories release inorganic arsenic into the environment at excessive rates.

Rainwater carries this arsenic down to the groundwater, making wells near natural deposits, industrial production, mining, or farming particularly susceptible to contamination.

The five states with the highest levels of inorganic arsenic concentration in groundwater are California, Maine, Nevada, Arizona, and Illinois. Arsenic levels should be tested regularly, and steps should be taken to reduce exposure to arsenic when necessary to protect consumers from potential health risks.

This could include installing filtration systems or switching to alternative drinking water sources such as bottled water or rainwater collection systems. 

7 Methods To Remove Arsenic From Water:

Removing arsenic from water is crucial to ensure safe and clean drinking water. Here are a few methods commonly used to remove arsenic from water:

1. Activated Alumina Media:

Acactivated alumina is a specialized adsorbent medium derived from aluminum oxide. Characterized by a high surface area-to-weight ratio, it has the remarkable ability to adsorb and attach arsenic molecules in water. This medium is available in pellets resembling the size of peas, conveniently placed within a housing or vessel.

A notable advantage of activated alumina lies in its efficacy in eliminating both arsenic III (As (III)) and arsenic V (As (V)) from drinking water. This versatile filter medium goes above and beyond by removing other contaminants like fluoride and lead, contributing significantly to enhancing water safety.

2. Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filtration

Reverse osmosis is a cutting-edge filtration process that utilizes a semi-permeable membrane to purify water. Water is pushed through the membrane under pressure, allowing only water molecules to pass through while blocking contaminants like arsenic, minerals, and other impurities. Both arsenic III (As (III)) and arsenic V (As (V)) can be effectively removed through reverse osmosis, resulting in cleaner, safer drinking water.

3. Ion Exchange Resin Technology

Ion exchange is a versatile method that employs resin beads to exchange ions in water. In this process, arsenic ions are exchanged with harmless ions attached to the resin. As water passes through the resin bed, arsenic ions adhere to the resin while desirable ions are released, leading to the removal of arsenic from the water.

4. Granular Ferric Hydroxide (GFH) Adsorption:

Granular ferric hydroxide is an adsorbent material specifically designed to target arsenic removal. Water passes through a bed of these granules, and arsenic molecules adhere to the surface of the ferric hydroxide particles. This method efficiently eliminates both arsenic III (As (III)) and arsenic V (As (V)) from water, promoting safe consumption.

5. Electrocoagulation Process:

Electrocoagulation is an innovative electrochemical technique used to treat water. By passing an electric current through the water, coagulating agents are generated, which then bind to contaminants like arsenic. These aggregates can be easily separated through sedimentation or filtration, leaving behind purified water suitable for consumption.

6. Biological Filtration (Bioremediation):

Bioremediation involves using microorganisms to naturally remove contaminants from water. Certain bacteria have the ability to transform arsenic into less toxic forms, effectively reducing its concentration. This method is particularly useful for areas with low levels of arsenic contamination and a sustainable approach to water treatment.

7. Solar Disinfection (SODIS):

Solar disinfection, also known as SODIS, employs the sun’s UV rays to disinfect water. Clear plastic or glass containers filled with water are exposed to sunlight for several hours, effectively killing harmful microorganisms, including those that may be associated with arsenic contamination. While SODIS doesn’t remove arsenic itself, it complements other treatment methods by ensuring microbiologically safe water.

Remember, the choice of water treatment method depends on various factors, including the level of arsenic contamination, available resources, and local conditions.

Is Moss An Effective Way to Remove Arsenic?

Moss is an effective tool for removing arsenic from water. Scientists have found that the floating hook moss can remove up to 82% of arsenic from the water in under 1 hour, making it a great resource for cleaning contaminated water sources. The moss removed arsenic most quickly when the levels were lower and other nutrients were unavailable.

This suggests that natural water sources are more likely to be effectively cleaned by the moss, as these conditions are similar to what is found in nature.

The scientists also found that the moss removed arsenic more efficiently in fast-flowing water than in slow-flowing water. This could be because faster flow rates allow for more contact between the moss and the contaminated water, thus increasing its effectiveness at removing arsenic.

Additionally, they noted that natural waters tend to have low nutrient concentrations, which further increases the effectiveness of the moss at removing arsenic. All of this evidence points towards using moss as an effective tool for cleaning contaminated waters with low levels of arsenic.

Is Whole-House Arsenic Treatment Necessary?

If your water contains arsenic, it is important to ensure that you and your family are not exposed to dangerous chemical levels. Point-of-use sources such as drinking, cooking, and ice should be filtered for arsenic concentrations below 500 ppb.

This is especially important for children who swallow water while bathing or brushing their teeth. Additionally, it is important to remember that other chemicals may also be present in the water if arsenic is detected.

Water with fewer than 500 ppb of arsenic is safe if not ingested for point-of-entry uses such as bathing and gardening. However, if your water contains levels of arsenic above the safe drinking levels, whole-house water treatment systems can be used to reduce the amount of arsenic in all areas of your home.

These systems use various methods, such as reverse osmosis filtration or ion exchange, to remove contaminants from the entire house’s water supply. It is important to note that these systems require regular maintenance and replacement filters to effectively remove contaminants from the water supply.

Some Side Effects of Arsenic in Drinking Water

As Arsenic is tasteless and odorless, it is undetected and keeps affecting the human body with discoloration and thickening of the skin, nausea, stomach pain, blindness, partial paralysis, diarrhea, and numbness in the feet along with hands.

Moreover, long-term exposure to arsenic may cause more chronic symptoms. Declared by the World Health Organization, long-time exposure to inorganic arsenic, especially through drinking contaminated water, eating food prepared from this water, and eating food irrigated with arsenic water, may lead to chronic arsenic poisoning. Skin cancer and skin lesions are the most severe effects of arsenic.

Natural Resources Defense Council accomplished a study in 2000 that stated that about 56 million people in 25 states drink water having arsenic, with a high risk of cancer. The number has dropped due to the EPA changing the arsenic standard, which was normally set in the 1960s; the contamination is still worth being protected from – in our drinking water to resist consumption to our bodies.

Where and How Does Arsenic Get into Drinking Water?

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element found in the earth’s crust. It can be found in certain aquifers and groundwater sources, particularly in the Western US and Southeast Asia. Arsenic levels in these areas can be higher for various reasons, including naturally elevated levels in wells, especially if the EPA does not regulate them.

Smoking tobacco products that contain arsenic can also contribute to higher levels of arsenic in the environment. Lastly, differing mineral compositions of the soil can also lead to increased arsenic concentrations.

It is important to note that while arsenic is naturally occurring, it can still pose a health risk if ingested or inhaled at high levels. Therefore, it is important to monitor water sources for potential contamination and take steps to reduce exposure when necessary.

Additionally, individuals should avoid smoking tobacco products containing arsenic as this will increase their risk of exposure. By taking these precautions, people can help protect themselves from potential health risks associated with arsenic exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element found in water sources. It is important to monitor water sources for potential contamination and take steps to reduce exposure when necessary. The best way to remove arsenic from water has been mentioned above. So, drink water just after removing arsenic. Stay safe with healthy water.