Scientists find moringa seed extracts remove 98.5% of PVC microplastics from tap water
Updated
Updated · CNN · Apr 29
Scientists find moringa seed extracts remove 98.5% of PVC microplastics from tap water
9 articles · Updated · CNN · Apr 29
Researchers from Brazil and the UK demonstrated that moringa seed extracts are as effective as aluminum sulfate in filtering PVC microplastics, with tests using particles averaging 18.8 micrometers in size.
Moringa seeds offer a renewable, biodegradable alternative to chemical coagulants, performing even better in alkaline water and avoiding toxicity and environmental issues linked to aluminum-based methods.
While promising for small communities, large-scale use would require significant seed quantities and further research on scalability, residue management, and effectiveness against other microplastics and nanoplastics.
Moringa captures microplastics, but what do we do with the concentrated toxic sludge left behind?
Is this ancient seed the key to meeting the EPA's new microplastic regulations for drinking water?
If this 'miracle tree' can clean our water, what other natural solutions have we overlooked?
Will this low-cost solution empower rural communities or be co-opted by industrial water treatment?
Could farming the 'miracle tree' on a global scale create an unforeseen environmental crisis?