Bengaluru: In a move that will help remove toxic heavy metal ions from wastewater, like hexavalent chromium, reports add that IIT-BHU has come up with an adsorbent in this regard. 

What is interesting to note here is that the product has been made using rice husk through several modifications.

It is also to be noted that the product can be used to clean up the river Ganga. 

The adsorbent has been synthesised by Dr Vishal Mishra and his PhD students Veer Singh and Jyoti Singh, and has proved effective adsorption-cum-reduction of hexavalent chromium, the website adds. 

It finds a mention in the 'Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering'.

The chromium present can lead to health issues relating to kidney, liver and even cancers. With the introduction of the new product, it goes a long way in dealing with such things. 

Moreover, this adsorbent can easily be separated from solution and can be used in the next adsorption cycle.

Swarajya quoted Dr Mishra as saying, "The research is focused on the cost-effective, eco-friendly method for removal of heavy metal ions from water. Rice husk is easily available worldwide."

Adsorbent is synthesised from the rice husk and its surface is modified through iron doping.

"In developing countries, water-borne diseases are a major problem. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), each year, 3.4 million people, mostly children, die from water-related diseases. Improving water quality can reduce global water-borne diseases. Cancer due to heavy metals is also a severe problem worldwide," he added.

The discovery can go a long way in dealing with public health as several million people drink water that contains dangerously high levels of ions in it.