Water Filtration Using Fruit and Vegetable Peels

Date:Aug. 3, 2018

Country: Singapore United States

Application

• Affordable water purification: Using fruit and vegetable peels to remove heavy metals like lead and cadmium in communities with limited access to clean water.

Description

Researchers from universities in the US, India, and Singapore have developed a low-cost water filtration method using fruit and vegetable peels. The process, called adsorption, involves binding contaminants like heavy metals to the surface of peels, such as avocado, lemon, and okra. These natural materials effectively remove toxins like lead and cadmium. This innovative technique has the potential to improve water quality, especially for communities lacking access to clean water.

 

 

Pathway Description:

The process begins by boiling fruit and vegetable peels to remove water-soluble impurities, then drying and crushing them to increase surface area. The prepared peels, such as avocado, lemon, and okra, are immersed in contaminated water. Through adsorption, heavy metals like lead bind to the surface of the peels. The treated water is then filtered, removing the toxins from the water.