Purinize Lab Results: Reduces MCHM W. Virginia Chemical Spill

March 14, 2014

"Safe for emergency water treatment as well as long-term storage, Purinize water purifier solution was recently proved by EPA-certified lab to reduce MCHM contaminant."

Clean, fresh water is an everyday necessity and a major concern for emergency and disaster relief organizations. Though there are many water purification products on the market, only Purinize water purifier solution is scientifically proven to reduce hundreds of contaminants while being completely safe for long-term, continuous use.

With modern industrialization, concerns about freshwater go beyond micro-organisms like Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Our lakes, rivers, and streams are contaminated with agricultural chemicals, industrial pollutants, hazardous waste, heavy metals, disinfectants and their byproducts, and even pharmaceutical drugs. Only Purinize’s patented water purifier solution addresses all of these contaminants.

On January 9, 2014, 4-Methyl-1-cyclohexanemethanol (MCHM) was spilled into the Elk River in Charleston, West Virginia, contaminating the water supply of over 300,00 residents.

An independent EPA-certified lab demonstrated Purinize’s ability to reduce the chemical MCHM concentration by 99.9 percent after 48 hours of treatment.

WHAT IS MCHM (4-methylcyclohexanemethanol)?

4-methylcyclohexanemethanol (MCHM) is a chemical used to process coal. It is classified as an organic alcohol with an odor reported to smell like licorice.

HOW DANGEROUS IS MCHM TO HUMANS?

Information regarding the impact of MCHM to human health and the environment is not fully known. 

HOW THE TEST WAS CONDUCTED USING PURINIZE

  • Three liters of tap water were spiked with 400 μg of 4-Methyl-1-cyclohexanemethanol (MCHM).
  • 12 mL (4mLper liter) of the Purinize water purifier solution was added to the spiked solution, mixed and covered.
  • The mixture was allowed to set for 12, 24, and 48 hours inside a fume hood
  • One liter was filtered through a 0.45 micron paper after 12 hours
  • Second liter was filtered through a 0.45 micron paper after 24 hours
  • Third and final liter was filtered through a 0.45 micron paper after 48 hours
  • The initial spiked solution and the filtered solutions were tested following the EPA method 525 for drinking water

SUMMARY OF TEST RESULTS

Set Time Before Filtering

Amount of MCHM concentration in Purinize Filtered Water

% of MCHM Reduction

12 hours.

7.5 µg/L

94.4 %

24 hours

3.5 µg/L

97.4 %

48 hours

<0.1 µg/L

99.9 %

CONCLUSION

The Purinize water purifier solution combined with the 0.45 microns filter paper reduced the MCHM concentration in the tap water by 99.9 % after 48 hours treatment.

 

ABOUT PURINIZE

Purinize is a company made up of like-minded individuals dedicated to providing affordable and effective solutions for the world's rapidly growing water crisis. The company’s mission is to develop water purification products for human water consumption that also cause no harm to the environment. For more information, visit Purinize.com.