Water is not just a resource: it is the very foundation of life, the element that makes the existence of every organism on Earth possible. From plant growth to climate regulation, from human health to complex ecosystems, every aspect of our planet depends on water. However, for millions of people worldwide, it does not represent well-being, but a silent threat.

Water pollution from heavy metals and metalloids is one of the most serious and widespread environmental issues globally. Substances such as phosphates, vanadium, antimony, selenium, molybdenum, uranium, lead, chromium, and arsenic can contaminate water resources due to human activities such as mining, industrial production, fertilizer and pesticide use, as well as natural causes related to local geology.

Elements like lead and hexavalent chromium are highly toxic and can accumulate in living organisms' tissues, causing long-term environmental and human health effects. Uranium, though mostly known for its energy and military use, can also be present in some groundwater, contributing to the natural radioactivity of drinking water.

Bundschuh J, et. al. J Hazard Mater. 2022; 436:129197. Modified from gapmaps.org

Arsenic represents one of the most insidious threats to human health. It is a metalloid naturally present in rocks, soils, and aquifers, but it can reach dangerous concentrations due to leaching phenomena or industrial contamination. Globally, over 140 million people are exposed to arsenic-contaminated drinking water, a condition that can cause serious health effects.

According to a 2013 study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), traces of arsenic in drinking water were found in over 105 countries:

Prolonged exposure to arsenic, even at low doses, is associated with severe health risks:

• Skin lesions and cancers
• Lung and bladder cancer
• Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases
• Childhood developmental issues and neurotoxicity

To protect public health, the World Health Organization (WHO) has set a maximum permissible limit of 10 μg/liter of arsenic in drinking water.

Monitoring, regulation, and remediation of contaminated water are therefore essential to ensure water safety and prevent serious health crises, especially in rural and developing areas where water treatment resources are limited.

To address this emergency, an innovative solution has been developed: PVRA®, an iron hydroxide-based adsorbent material, produced with a patented high-efficiency process.
PVRA® is capable of removing not only arsenic but also: Phosphates, Vanadium, Antimony, Selenium, Molybdenum, Uranium, Lead, Chromium..
Thanks to its effectiveness, PVRA® represents a key technology to ensure access to safe water, especially in vulnerable contexts.

Protecting and enhancing water is a global priority.
Technologies like PVRA® are our concrete response to two of the most urgent challenges of our time:

• ensuring safe drinking water for everyone;
• producing clean energy without destroying natural resources.