Arsenic: From toxic compound to medical treatment

Abstract

In recent years, arsenic contamination in water has become an emerging issue in environmental geochemistry due to high toxicity leading to inhibition of adenosine triphosphate production and cell cycle in our body. In order to remove arsenic from water, various treatment techniques have been applied, and adsorption technique has been preferred because of the cost-effectiveness and simple facilities. However, a reuse method for arsenic removal is needed to apply to the adsorption system because both adsorbent and recovered arsenic should be treated. On the other hand, arsenic can be used for the treatment of cancer due to its inhibitory function under low concentration. In this study, we review the recycling method to recover arsenic from wastewater using adsorption techniques using the coffee ground-based activated carbon. Arsenic could be effectively recovered from contaminated water, and the recovered arsenic can be used for cost-effective source of antitumor agent. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.