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Biopolymer-reinforced synthetic granular nanocomposites for affordable point-of-use water purification

Creation of affordable materials for constant release of silver ions in water is one of the most promising ways to provide microbially safe drinking water for all. Combining the capacity of diverse nanocomposites to scavenge toxic species such as arsenic, lead, and other contaminants along with the above capability can result in affordable, all-inclusive drinking [...]

The Case for the Photocatalytic Spinning Disc Reactor as a Process Intensification Technology: Comparison to an Annular Reactor for the Degradation of Methylene Blue

A spinning disc reactor was investigated as a process intensification technology for photocatalysis and compared with a conventional annular reactor. It was found that the average photonic efficiency achieved in the SDR was three times larger than the maximum photonic efficiency achieved in the annular reactor, 0.19 ±0.08% versus 0.062 ± 0.009%, indicating that the [...]

Life-cycle and freshwater withdrawal impact assessment of water supply technologies

Four alternative cases for water supply were environmentally evaluated and compared based on the standard environmental impact categories from the life-cycle assessment (LCA) methodology extended with a freshwater withdrawal category (FWI). The cases were designed for Copenhagen, a part of Denmark with high population density and relatively low available water resources. FWI was applied at [...]

Linking water quality and well-being for improved assessment and valuation of ecosystem services

Here we address one of the most important missing components in the current ecosystem services toolbox: a comprehensive and generalizable framework for describing and valuing water quality-related services. Water quality is often misrepresented as a final ecosystem service. We argue that it is actually an important contributor to many different services, from recreation to human [...]

Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of the Plastic BioSand Water Filter in Cambodia

About half of the rural population of Cambodia lacks access to improved water; an even higher percentage lacks access to latrines. More than 35,000 concrete BioSand Water filters (BSF) have been installed in the country. However, the concrete BSF takes time to produce and weighs hundreds of pounds. A plastic BSF has been developed but [...]

Respiratory and Allergic Health Effects of Dampness, Mold, and Dampness-Related Agents: A Review of the Epidemiologic Evidence

Data synthesis: Evidence from epidemiologic studies and meta-analyses showed indoor dampness or mold to be associated consistently with increased asthma development and exacerbation, current and ever diagnosis of asthma, dyspnea, wheeze, cough, respiratory infections, bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, eczema, and upper respiratory tract symptoms. Associations were found in allergic and nonallergic individuals. Evidence strongly suggested causation [...]

Phthalates in cosmetic and personal care products: Concentrations and possible dermal exposure

Samples were extracted with different organic solvents, depending on the types of the products, followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. Of the 18 investigated phthalates, diethyl phthalate (DEP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were detected. The detection frequencies were in the following order: DEP (103 out [...]

Endocrine disrupting compounds: A comparison of removal between conventional activated sludge and membrane bioreactors

► Comparison between MBR pilot plant and CAS-TT plant for the removal of some EDCs. ► Phthalates, nonylphenols, octylphenols, bisphenol A and estrogens have been studied. ► The MBR pilot plant eliminates the target compounds better than the CAS-TT. doi:10.1016/j.desal.2011.01.026

Quantifying Health Improvements from Water Quantity Enhancement: An Engineering Perspective Applied to Rainwater Harvesting in West Africa

Knowledge of potential benefits resulting from technological interventions informs decision making and planning of water, sanitation, and hygiene programs. The public health field has built a body of literature showing health benefits from improvements in water quality. However, the connection between improvements in water quantity and health is not well documented. Understanding the connection between [...]