COMPARISON OF POTTERY GRANULE AND BAMBOO BASED ACTIVATED CARBON AS ADSORBENT TO REMOVE LEAD IN DRINKING WATER

Abstract

Lead contamination in drinking water is a serious global health threat, especially for children and vulnerable populations, due to the corrosion of aging infrastructure such as lead pipes. Studies from Germany, France, the Netherlands, and West Africa reveal widespread unsafe lead levels in drinking water, causing severe health issues like anemia, kidney damage, and neurological disorders that can impair children's development. This study evaluates the effectiveness of activated carbon and pottery granules in removing lead from water. Activated carbon is affordable and accessible, while pottery granules, effective at a pH of 6 and across various temperatures, proved a practical and cost-effective solution despite requiring higher dosages. The findings support the implementation of pottery granules to meet drinking water standards and address lead contamination effectively, highlighting their optimal efficiency at 40 g/L and performance consistency at natural drinking water pH levels without the need for temperature adjustments.