4195500 - Removal of pharmaceuticals from water using plant-based polymers | Poster Board #761

Small amounts of pharmaceuticals present in drinking water can adversely interact with normal biological processes of a healthy individual. Improper disposal of these drugs over time has led to a buildup within water supplies, ultimately making their way into water used in homes and businesses. This project tests the effectiveness of non-toxic, plant-based flocculants on reducing the presence of common pharmaceuticals, including acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and erythromycin, within a variety of water supplies. The flocculants–polymers derived from okra, fenugreek, moringa, and others–have been previously used to successfully remove particles, such as microplastics, and several cations and anions. If the results from this experiment are positive, it will provide additional evidence in favor of incorporating these polymers into large-scale industrial water treatment facilities, ultimately allowing for safer drinking water.