Catalysts Developed at Carnegie Mellon Efficiently and Rapidly Remove BPA from Water
https://www.cmu.edu/mcs/news/pressreleases/2017/0802-BPA-TAMLs.html
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Catalysts Developed at Carnegie Mellon Efficiently and Rapidly Remove BPA from WaterCarnegie Mellon University chemist Terrence J. Collins has developed an approach that quickly and cheaply removes more than 99 percent of bisphenol A (BPA) from water. BPA, a ubiquitous and dangerous chemical used in the manufacturing of many plastics, is found in water sources around the world.
In
a paper published in Green Chemistry, Collins research team and collaborators at the University of Auckland and Oregon State University also compiled evidence of BPAs presence in a multitude of products and water sources, as well as the chemicals toxicity. The research team builds a strong case for the need to effectively remediate BPA-contaminated water, especially industrial waste streams and landfill runoff, and they offer a simple solution.
BPA is a chemical used primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. Its use is so widespread BPA can be found in products from DVDs and eyeglass lenses to cash register receipts to which people and wildlife are regularly exposed.
BPA is dangerous because it mimics estrogen, a naturally occurring hormone, and can affect the bodys endocrine system. Studies in fish, mammals and human cells have shown that BPA adversely affects brain and nervous system development, growth and metabolism, and the reproductive system.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c7gc01415e