A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata has come up with a kit for easy and accurate detection of arsenic in potable water and its removal.
According to the research team, the Arsenic Sensing and Arsenic Removal kit developed by IISER scientists will be able to detect and remove even 0.02mg arsenic in a litre of drinking water.
The IISER kit comprises a filter paper laced with fluoro-polymer to detect the presence of arsenic to the minute level.
The cartridges will last four to five years. Work is on to find a way to retrieve the arsenic from the cartridge and recycle it for use in laboratories.
ADO Additives Ltd, in collaboration with IISER, will produce the strips and cartridges in bulk for affordable use.