Perchlorate (ClO4-) contaminates groundwater that could be used by approximately 15
million Americans (U.S. EPA 1999). The majority of perchlorate in the environment originated
from its use as a propellant in rocket fuel (Gullick et al. 2001). As perchlorate has a limited shelf
life, the rocket fuel was periodically washed from the rockets. This contaminated wash then
made its way into the groundwater.
Perchlorate is a concern to human health. At one time it was used to treat Graves disease;
however, its use has been discontinued as perchlorate was linked to anemia and fetal brain
damage. The primary health concern with perchlorate deals with the thyroid. Perchlorate will
inhibit the uptake of iodide by the thyroid, leading to hypothyroidism (Li et al. 2001). To
address the health concern presented by perchlorate, several states including California and
Texas, have implemented state action levels for ClO4
- that range between 2 and 18 ppb.
This research indicates that tailored granular activated carbon (GAC) can remove
perchlorate for extended time. This tailoring consists of preloading the GAC with organic
cations, and this process can increase the GAC bed life by 30 times. Includes 5 references, figures.
| Edition : | Vol. - No. |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 460 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 5 |
| Published : | 06/15/2003 |
