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Tuesday, 29th August 2006 (6435 views)

Scientists in India have discovered a way of removing pesticides from water using gold nanoparticles.

T Pradeep and A Sreekumaran Nair of the Indian Institute of Technology were able to detect and filter endosulfan, malathion and chlorpyrifos pesticides from water and have patented the technology.

They used both gold particles (10 to 20 nanometres in diameter) and silver particles (60 to 80 nanometres across) to soak up the residual pesticides from flowing water, with the pesticides changing colour after being absorbed.

Dr Pradeep's co-authored paper, 'Societal implications of nanoscience and nanotechnology in developing countries', notes that the technology could benefit local communities.

"Water purification systems equipped with nanomaterials and using new kinds of membrane technologies with variable pore sizes as filters could provide people in any area with safe drinking water," he writes.

He also said that he could "waive the royalty" for filters designed for villages. Pesticides and insecticides contaminating drinking water is a big problem because the chemicals tend to be dangerous. For example, endosulfan is a toxic endocrine disruptor.

 

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