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In addition to microbes, water may harbor a variety of other contaminants, including lead and other heavy metals, arsenic, VOCís, pesticides, herbicides, organic and inorganic sediment, asbestos fibers, etc. These non-microbial contaminants leach into drinking water from natural and industrial sources and present an important long-term health risk.
Point-of-use treatment has demonstrated great potential for enabling households to remove dangerous levels of arsenic from their drinking water. Small-scale local production of POU arsenic filters is well-established in several countries. First Water is working to develop a lightweight low-cost gravity-fed arsenic filter and to combine removal of arsenic with removal of waterborne pathogens.
Ceramic filter elements can be supplied with a core of activated carbon for removal of organic contaminants.
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