WaterPoultry feathers-based filters remove arsenic from water

Aman Ullah, a Post-Doctoral Fellow with the University of Alberta department of Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science(AFNS), has won a $100,000 grant from Grand Challenges Canada (GCC) to pursue an idea that could potentially improve the quality of life for millions of people.

Working in collaboration with Jianping Wu from the University of Alberta, and Doulat Rai Bajaj, from Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences (LUMHS), Pakistan, Ullah is developing inexpensive filters made from the modified protein (keratin) in poultry feathers to remove arsenic from drinking water.

A University of Alberta release reports that the global implications of these filters could be monumental. An affordable, reusable filter made from a readily available, domestic waste product could help improve water quality in several developing countries affected by arsenic contamination.

According to a 2010 study by the WHO, arsenic-related diseases result in over 9,000 deaths per year in Bangladesh alone, and nearly half of its population is at risk of drinking arsenic-contaminated water.  Health complications of arsenic poisoning include diabetes, renal system failure, cardiovascular diseases and various types of cancer.

Ullah, who grew up in Pakistan, experienced first-hand the devastating effects of arsenic in the lives of people in his community.

“For millions of people in developing countries ground water is the only source of drinking water,” he said. “When their water source is contaminated with arsenic, they have no choice other than drinking it and dealing with the health issues.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for arsenic in drinking water are set at 10 μg/L.

In many developing countries, however, reported levels are as high as 300 μg/L. Areas located near ore mining operations and industrial processing facilities are often higher.

Although there are currently several methods available for reducing the levels of toxic metals in water, Ullah says the vast majority of these technologies are too expensive to be implemented in developing countries and selectively remove arsenate, As (V), leaving arsenite, As (III), which is arsenic’s more toxic form.

“This method is bold and innovate because of the availability of cheap raw materials in the form of poultry feathers, and simple, one-step modification to transform the protein into biodegradable, reusable and environmentally friendly filters.” said Ullah.

In 2010, GCC issued five Grand Challenges to be launched over a five year period. Ullah’s grant comes from the “Canadian Rising Stars in Global Health Round-2” initiative, which supports “early-career innovators and the best minds in the world as they search for breakthroughs in global health and other areas that have the potential to bring about enduring changes in the lives of millions of people in poor countries.”

Dr. Peter A. Singer, CEO of Grand Challenges Canada, says that innovators like Ullah have the potential to make an enormous difference on global health.

“When you look at the range of innovations and the potential those creative ideas have to make a difference, Canadians can’t help but be proud of our country’s contribution to the health and well -being of the international community,” he said. “Bold Canadian ideas with big impact can save lives.”