Arsenic contamination in water, especially groundwater, has been recognized as a major problem of catastrophic proportions. The toxicology and health hazard also has been reported for many years. Because of the recognition that arsenic at low concentrations in drinking water causes severe health effects, the technologies of arsenic removal that have become increasing important. The current regulation of drinking water standard is become more stringent and requires arsenic content to be reduced to a few parts per billion. There are several treatment methods capable of this level of performancemembranes, coagulation, anion exchange, disposable iron media, softening etc. Treatment cost, operational complexity of the technology, skill required to operate the technology and disposal of arsenic bearing treatment residual are factors should be considered before treatment method selection. This paper aims to review briefly arsenic toxicology and hazards and also the previous and current available technologies that have been reported in arsenic removal. Residual generation and disposal after treatment will also be discussed.

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Growing public concern about environment and potential risks to health in the polymer and plasticizer industry promises to increase the market for a safer alternative plasticizer such as a vegetable oil-based agent. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of crude palm oil as a bio-additive in polypropylene blown films. The polypropylene was blended with 1%, 3%, and 5% dosages of CPO using a twin screw extruder. The extruded samples were blown using the blown thin film technique. Mechanical, physical, and morphological properties were characterized. Modifying polypropylene with CPO showed good enhancement in the mechanical properties of the polypropylene. Tensile strength, elongation at break, impact strength, and tear strength all increased. The scanning electron microscopy photographs of the CPO-modified PP clearly supported the results from the mechanical strength tests. The presence of CPO in the PP matrices decreased the density and increased the melt flow rate. These findings contribute new knowledge to the additives area and give important implications for designing and manufacturing polymer packaging materials.