Novel Filtration Devices for Arsenic Reduction

Unlike residents who have access to water through centralized water distribution systems, residents who rely on private wells are responsible for treating their own water to safeguard their health. In North Carolina, naturally occurring and human-caused contaminants infiltrate private wells, placing residents at risk for adverse health outcomes. Because almost one-third of the population in North Carolina drink water from private wells, improved filtration methods are necessary.

water tap

Almost one-third of the population in North Carolina drink water from private wells.

Filtration methods currently recommended by the US EPA and NC DHHS are easy to implement, yet there is still room for improvement in their filtration efficacy and their disposal of contaminated filter waste. Project 5 seeks to create a filtration system that removes contaminants better than existing in-home water treatment systems and minimizes contaminant re-entry into the environment.

The hypothesized treatment system will serve as an intervention point between drinking water contaminants and human exposure to them, resulting in reduced risk of adverse health outcomes from exposure to inorganic arsenic and other contaminants.

Project Leader

Dr. Orlando Coronell

Dr. Orlando Coronell

Orlando Coronell, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering
Gillings School of Global Public Health
UNC-Chapel Hill


Co-Investigators


Dr. Cass Miller

Dr. Cass Miller

Cass Miller, PhD
Okun Distinguished Professor, Environmental Sciences and Engineering
Gillings School of Global Public Health
UNC-Chapel Hill



Dr. Mustapha Soukri

Dr. Mustapha Soukri

Mustapha Soukri, PhD
Project Manager, Materials Chemistry
RTI



Dr. Kathleen Gray

Dr. Kathleen Gray

Kathleen Gray, PhD
Director, Center for Public Engagement with Science
Associate Director for Outreach and Public Service and Research Associate Professor
UNC-Chapel Hill



Dr. Haibo Zhou

Dr. Haibo Zhou

Haibo Zhou, PhD
Professor, Department of Biostatistics
UNC-Chapel Hill


CONTACT INFORMATION
Director: Rebecca Fry, PhD
Deputy Director: Fernando Pardo-Manuel de Villena, PhD
Funding provided by NIEHS grant #P42 ES031007

135 Dauer Drive
253 Rosenau Hall, CB #7431
Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7431