Long-term exposure to low concentrations of arsenic has been reported to cause skin cancer and it may carry risk of various internal organ cancers. In contrast to cyanide, arsenic cannot be destroyed. It can only be converted into different forms or transformed into insoluble compounds in combination with other elements, such as iron. The CRC for Waste Management and Pollution Control has discovered a process which accelerates oxidation by using air and exposing the reaction mixture to light from the sun or from ultraviolet lamps. Lastly, the team also uses iron to convert the removed arsenic into forms which can then be safely disposed of in landfill sites.
Air is used for the oxidation process instead of chemicals such as chlorine or ozone.
Chemical costs are therefore cheaper. In addition, there is no adverse environmental impact. The overall cost depends on many factors, including the nature of the waters being treated. The process can be used to treat groundwater for domestic and agricultural uses and wastes from the mining and metal-producing industries. Arsenic is an unwanted by-product of the mining and extraction of metals such as copper, gold, lead, nickel and uranium.