Field investigation of arsenic in ceramic pot filter-treated drinking water

Abstract

Ceramic pot filters (CPFs) is one of several household water treatment technologies that is used to treat drinking water in developing areas. The filters have the advantage of being able to be manufactured using primarily locally available materials and local labor. However, naturally-occurring arsenic present in the clay used to make the filters has the potential to contaminate the water in excess of the World Health Organization drinking water standard of 0.01 mg/L. A manufacturing facility in Guatemala routinely rinses filters to reduce arsenic concentrations prior to distribution to consumers. A systemic study was performed to evaluate the change in arsenic concentrations with increasing volumes of rinse water. Arsenic field kit results were compared to standard method laboratory results, and dissolved versus suspended arsenic concentrations in CPF-treated water were evaluated. The results of the study suggest that rinsing is an effective means of mitigating arsenic leached from the filters, and that even in the absence of a formal rinsing program, routine consumer use may result in the rapid decline of arsenic concentrations. More importantly, the results indicate that filter manufacturers should give strong consideration to implementing an arsenic testing program.

Analyse des risques sanitaires dans la production de filtres à eau en céramique à Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

“…En effet, le prélèvement de l'argile se faisait de manière aléatoire au gré des prospections et l'évaluation de sa qualité se résumait à des tests organoleptiques portant sur l'aspect général et le goût. Or l'argile prélevée dans l'environnement peut contenir divers polluants chimiques (métaux) et microbiologiques susceptibles d'être relargués par le filtre au cours de son utilisation (Van et al, 2007 ;Archer et al, 2011). De même, Vinka et collaborateur (2008) ont montré à l'issue d'une étude portant évaluation de filtres en céramiques produits à base de différentes terres argileuses que les caractéristiques de l'argile influencent le débit de filtration mais aussi les performances épuratoires des filtres.…”

Firing Increases Arsenic Leaching from Ceramic Water Filters via Arsenic and Iron Phase Transformations

“…Although estimates of global CWF production are limited, two known factories in Cambodia produce and distribute a combined 5000–6000 CWFs per month and a factory in Guatemala produces ∼20,000 CWFs per month with nearly 600,000 filters distributed from 2010–2020 . However, it is increasingly recognized that CWFs have the potential to leach arsenic (As) during the initial stages of use with documented occurrences of As leaching from CWFs produced in Cambodia, Guatemala, Indonesia, and Myanmar…”

“…Although estimates of global CWF production are limited, two known factories in Cambodia produce and distribute a combined 5000−6000 CWFs per month and a factory in Guatemala produces ∼20,000 CWFs per month with nearly 600,000 filters distributed from 2010− 2020. 10 However, it is increasingly recognized that CWFs have the potential to leach arsenic (As) during the initial stages of use 11 with documented occurrences of As leaching from CWFs produced in Cambodia, 12 Guatemala, 13 Indonesia, 14 and Myanmar. 15 Arsenic is toxic and causes systemic adverse health effects when consumed above recommended health guidelines 16,17 including increased rate of cancers, 18−21 cardiovascular disease, 22 and susceptibility to infectious disease.…”