With almost 100 million people in developing countries exposed to dangerously high levels of arsenic in their drinking water, scientists have devised a simple, inexpensive method for removing arsenic. This method involves using chopped up pieces of ordinary plastic beverage bottles coated with an amino acid called cysteine, which is found in dietary supplements and foods. Here’s how it works:

  1. Collect plastic bottles: You can use discarded plastic water, soda pop, or other beverage bottles.
  2. Coat the plastic pieces: Apply cysteine to the plastic pieces. The cysteine acts like a magnet, binding up the arsenic.
  3. Stir the plastic in arsenic-contaminated water: The cysteine-coated plastic attracts and binds the arsenic.
  4. Remove the plastic: Once the arsenic is bound, remove the plastic from the water.

The result? Drinkable water that meets safety standards. In laboratory tests, this method successfully produced drinkable water from water containing 20 parts per billion (ppb) of arsenic, which is two times the safe standard set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for drinking water. The technology is straightforward and accessible, making it advantageous for communities without technical expertise. Plus, it utilizes locally available materials—discarded plastic bottles—and doesn’t require complicated technology123.

This innovative approach not only addresses arsenic contamination but also has the potential to remove other potentially toxic heavy metals from drinking water. So, next time you see a plastic bottle, remember that it could play a vital role in providing safe drinking water! 🌊🍶