Company unveils groundbreaking tech that could make drinking water safer for millions: ‘Helps set a new benchmark’ – The Cool Down

Report on a Technological Advancement in Water Filtration and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Addressing Water Contamination in Line with SDG 6

A new water filtration product has been launched by technology company Nephros, designed to address the critical global challenge of water contamination. The “19-Series PFAS Filter” effectively removes per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” from drinking water. This innovation represents a significant step towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, and supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by mitigating health risks associated with contaminated water.

The Challenge: PFAS Contamination’s Threat to Health and Environmental Sustainability

The widespread presence of PFAS poses a direct threat to several Sustainable Development Goals. The persistence of these chemicals in the environment and their documented health risks undermine progress towards a sustainable future.

• Violation of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): A 2023 study found that at least 45% of tap water in the United States is contaminated with PFAS, directly contravening the goal of providing universal access to safe drinking water.
• Impact on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): PFAS exposure is linked to severe health conditions, including cancer, decreased fertility, liver damage, and increased cholesterol, which compromises public health targets.
• Conflict with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The contamination originates from consumer products and industrial discharges, highlighting a failure in the environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes throughout their life cycle.

A Technological Solution: The Nephros 19-Series PFAS Filter

The Nephros 19-Series PFAS Filter offers a tangible solution to combat PFAS contamination at the point of use, directly contributing to SDG targets related to water quality and public health.

1. Comprehensive Contaminant Removal: The filter removes a broad spectrum of contaminants, including various types of PFAS, lead, and asbestos. This comprehensive approach is more effective than traditional filters and is crucial for ensuring water safety in line with SDG 6.
2. High-Capacity Performance: With a rated capacity of 3,145 gallons and a flow rate of 1.63 gallons per minute, the filter is designed for high-demand environments, making it a scalable solution for public and commercial facilities.
3. Point-of-Use Installation: By being installed directly at water refill stations or taps, the filter provides immediate access to clean water, effectively reducing exposure to harmful substances for large populations.

Applications and Broader Impact on Sustainable Development

The deployment of this filtration technology has far-reaching implications for various sectors and contributes to multiple SDGs beyond just clean water.

• Healthcare Sector: In medical settings, such as for dialysis treatment, the filter can help provide the ultra-pure water required, directly supporting the objectives of SDG 3 by enhancing patient safety and healthcare quality.
• Public and Commercial Institutions: Its use in educational institutions, food service operations, and other commercial spaces ensures that communities have access to safe, potable water, a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of public health.
• Environmental Protection: By providing a means to purify contaminated water sources, the technology indirectly supports SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land), as clean water is essential for the health of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

Conclusion: Setting a New Benchmark for Water Safety and SDG Achievement

According to Nephros CEO Robert Banks, the 19-Series PFAS Filter “helps set a new benchmark in support of safer, more reliable drinking water.” Technological innovations of this nature are indispensable for mitigating the adverse effects of pollution and are critical for advancing the global agenda on sustainable development. By addressing the pervasive issue of “forever chemicals,” this product provides a vital tool for governments, industries, and communities working to achieve the targets set forth in the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those concerning clean water, public health, and environmental protection.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
  
  The article’s primary focus is on clean and safe drinking water. It discusses the contamination of tap water with PFAS (“forever chemicals”) and introduces a new filtration technology designed to remove these and other contaminants, directly addressing the goal of ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
  
  The article explicitly links PFAS contamination in drinking water to severe negative health impacts, including “cancer, decreased fertility, liver damage, and increased cholesterol.” By presenting a solution to remove these harmful chemicals, the article connects directly to the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being, specifically by reducing illnesses caused by water pollution.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  
  The article highlights the launch of an innovative product, the “19-Series PFAS Filter,” by a technology company, Nephros. This represents a technological advancement and an industrial solution to a significant environmental and health challenge, aligning with the goal of fostering innovation and promoting clean, environmentally sound technologies.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  
  The article mentions that PFAS contamination originates from “consumer products and industrial discharges.” This points to unsustainable production patterns that release hazardous chemicals into the environment. The development of technology to mitigate this pollution is related to achieving the environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
  
  The article directly addresses this target by highlighting that “at least 45% of the nation’s tap water contained PFAS,” indicating a lack of safe drinking water for a large portion of the population. The new filter is presented as a solution to make water safer at the point of use.
• Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials…
  
  The article discusses water contamination from “industrial discharges” and the presence of “hazardous substances” like PFAS, lead, and asbestos. The filtration technology is a direct response aimed at improving water quality by removing these pollutants.
• Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
  
  This target is relevant as the article explicitly states that PFAS are “toxic chemicals” linked to “adverse health conditions, including cancer, decreased fertility, liver damage, and increased cholesterol.” The new filter aims to prevent these illnesses by removing the source of contamination from drinking water.
• Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable…and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies…
  
  The launch of the “19-Series PFAS Filter” by Nephros is a clear example of a “clean and environmentally sound technology” designed to solve a pollution problem. Its application in “medical and healthcare settings, educational institutions, food service operations, and other commercial spaces” represents an upgrade to existing water infrastructure.
• Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle…and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil…
  
  The article’s mention of PFAS originating from “consumer products and industrial discharges” and persisting in the environment points to a failure in the sound management of chemicals. The filtration product is a remedial measure to deal with the consequences of this failure, thereby connecting to the objective of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Implied Indicator for Target 6.1: The article cites a study from the journal Environment International stating that “at least 45% of the nation’s tap water contained PFAS.” This percentage serves as a direct, though informal, indicator of the proportion of the population lacking safely managed drinking water services (a negative indicator for SDG 6.1.1). Progress would be measured by a reduction in this percentage.
• Implied Indicator for Target 3.9: While no specific mortality or morbidity rates are given, the article lists the “adverse health conditions” linked to PFAS, such as “cancer, decreased fertility, liver damage, and increased cholesterol.” The incidence rates of these specific health conditions in populations exposed to contaminated water can be considered an implied indicator for measuring the health burden from water pollution.
• Implied Indicator for Target 6.3 & 12.4: The presence and concentration of PFAS and other “hazardous substances” in water sources are implied indicators of water pollution. The article mentions that the new filter removes a “broad range of common water contaminants,” including PFOA and PFOS, lead, and asbestos. Measuring the levels of these specific chemicals in water before and after filtration would be a direct way to track progress in reducing pollution at the point of use.
• Implied Indicator for Target 9.4: The article provides performance specifications for the new technology, such as its “3,145-gallon capacity” and “flow rate of 1.63 gallons per minute.” These technical specifications, along with the rate of adoption of such advanced filtration technologies in commercial and public institutions, can serve as indicators for the uptake of clean and environmentally sound technologies.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thecooldown.com