TheSono arsenic filter was invented in 2006 byAbul Hussam, who is a chemistry professor atGeorge Mason University (GMU) inFairfax,Virginia. It was developed to deal with the problem ofarsenic contamination of groundwater.[1] Thefilter is now in use in Hussam's nativeBangladesh.
Farmers had been drinking freshgroundwater from wells, whereas previously they had had to use ponds and mudholes which were contaminated with bacteria and viruses. However, these wells were also contaminated with naturally occurring high concentrations of poisonousarsenic, causing skin ailments and cancers. Awareness of the problem developed through the 1990s.
Allan Smith, anepidemiologist at theUniversity of California at Berkeley, observed that the arsenic problem affects millions of people worldwide:
You can't see it or taste or smell it. The idea that crystal-clear drinking water would end up causing lung disease in 20 or 30 years is a little weird. It's unbelievable to people.
— Solutions for a greener planet environmental chemistry by Marc Zimmer
Hussam developed his filter after years of testing hundreds of prototypes. The final version contains 20 pounds (9 kg) of shards of porousiron, which bonds chemically with arsenic. It also includes charcoal, sand and bits of brick. It filters nearly all arsenic from well water.
Hussam was awarded the 2007Grainger challenge Prize forSustainability by theNational Academy of Engineering.[2] Hussam plans to use 70% of the $1 million engineering prize to distribute filters to needy communities.[3]