Arsenic Removal
The Arsenic Removal Process
Arsenic, a naturally occurring element, is found
throughout the environment; for most people, food is the
major source of exposure. Acute (short-term) high-level
inhalation exposure to arsenic dust or fumes has resulted in
gastrointestinal effects (nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain);
central and peripheral nervous system disorders have occurred
in workers acutely exposed to inorganic arsenic. Chronic
(long-term) inhalation exposure to inorganic arsenic in
humans is associated with irritation of the skin and mucous
membranes. Chronic oral exposure has resulted in
gastrointestinal effects, anemia, peripheral neuropathy, skin
lesions, hyperpigmentation, and liver or kidney damage in
humans. Inorganic arsenic exposure in humans, by the
inhalation route, has been shown to be strongly associated
with lung cancer, while ingestion of inorganic arsenic in
humans has been linked to a form of skin cancer and also to
bladder, liver, and lung cancer. EPA has classified inorganic
arsenic as a Group A, human carcinogen.
Arsine is a gas consisting of arsenic and hydrogen. It is
extremely toxic to humans, with headaches, vomiting, and
abdominal pains occurring within a few hours of exposure. EPA
has not classified arsine for carcinogenicity.
The Adventus Arsenic Removal Advantage
Responsible environmental experts in the academic,
business and regulatory communities are increasingly more
worried about the high levels of mercury contamination
affecting many parts of the world. The international
community is focusing their attention on this growing problem
and EHC-M will clearly
help, as it is perfectly suited for treating environments
co-impacted by both heavy metals and chlorinated solvents. A
recent study showed greater than 99 percent removal of total
mercury from groundwater was achieved with EHC-M. Impressive
as this is, there are also remarkable cost differences
between EHC-M and other products on the market such as
Regenesis' MRC . Low redox, high organic content and zero
valent iron promotes the reduction of mercury, chromium and
other heavy metals potentially dangerous to public health and
the environment. In addition, our ability to control pH is
important as pH affects these processes. ETI and the Adventus
Group are supporting research at the University of Waterloo
to help address some of the root problems of mercury
contamination that are emanating from China. ETI is offering
financial support to assist in a proposed project entitled
'Water well remediation of arsenic contaminated groundwater'
with partners at the Chinese University of Geosciences. The
arsenic problem is also widespread in China, and we see hope
to include both zero valent iron and EHC-M as possible
in-well treatment material candidates as part of the
remediation solution.
Adventus Arsenic Removal Solutions and Products
EHC-M is specially
formulated for in situ immobilization of soluble metals via
enhanced precipitation and adsorption reactions. The
controlled-release feature of this patented product's carbon
component provides for extended longevity, and greatly
assists in maintaining very low redox conditions through
simultaneous microbial consumption of the carbon and electron
acceptors.
EHC-M is part of The Adventus Group's EHC brand umbrella,
a family of latest generation bioremediation products used
for the in situ treatment of groundwater and saturated soil
impacted by heavy metals and persistent organic compounds
such as chlorinated solvents, pesticides and energetics. The
technology is a modification of their DARAMEND® technology,
which has been successfully used since 1992 to treat more
than 800,000 tons of similarly contaminated soil, sediment
and solid wastes.
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