The lack of access to clean water is a major problem in 3rd world countries around the globe, as thousands of people die of drink-water related deseases. The latest developments in nano-technology though may soon provide the answer to this problem: a new tea-bag water filter has been developed that can kill all the bacteria present in water, while the activated carbon removes any chemical contaminants. It is designed to fit in the neck of a standard sized bottle.
"The easiest way to visualize our filter is to think of a normal tea bag," said professor Cloete of Stellenbosch University, the inventor of this filter. "The outside of the bag is coated in a polymer that includes a biocide, which means that it both filters water and kills bacteria. We haven't yet come across a bacteria it can't kill."
Each tea bag can only filter one liter of water, so a family may need to use many bags per day. But at a cost of 1 to 5 cents/filter (depending on the quality of water being filtered) it is still very affordable. "It's easy to remember: one bag, one liter." said Cloete. The entire contraption is biodegradable and its inventors even claim that the activated carbon filling is a good soil conditioner.
Although even a low-cost could be an issue for those living on a dollar a day, or less, Professor Cloete believes that a small surcharge to sales in the West could help subsidize costs in the developing world. "The top end can sponsor the bottom end, and by paying this people could make a difference to millions," he said.
Professor Cloete is currently working with machine manufacturers in the Czech Republic and hopes to have a mass-market version available this month.
According to the UN's World Health Organization lack of clean water and sanitation kills 1.6 million children each year. Currently, diarrhea is still one of the leading causes of death for children under 5, which sounds incredible for the 21st century, but sadly it's true.
Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ydPMl7hOtA
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