Perchlorate environmental occurrences, health effects, and remediation technologies

Abstract

Perchlorate is a widespread pollutant in the environment. It can be produced naturally by atmospheric photochemical reactions or synthesized in large quantities for industrial, military, and pyrotechnic applications. Perchlorate can affect human thyroid function by interfering with iodide uptake and thus has significant public health ramifications. This presentation will provide the current state of science and technology with respect to the source and occurrence of perchlorate in natural environments, its risk assessment, and recent advances in treatment technologies to remove perchlorate from contaminated water. Although perchlorate is a powerful oxidant, it is highly soluble and stable in water and soil and can thus persist in the environment. The discussion will focus on various treatment technologies such as selective ion exchange, reverse osmosis, and biological reduction which can be used to remove perchlorate from contaminated water and thus to minimize its health risks to the public.