Background

Electron beam treatment has been shown to be highly effective in destroying toxic organic contaminants in water.  Ionizing radiation causes extensive damage to the DNA of living cells which leads to cell death.  Further damage is caused as the electron beam creates free radicals which react with the macromolecules in the cell such as proteins and enzymes.  The high energy electrons are highly effective at destroying all types of pathogens including viruses, fungi, bacteria, parasites, spores and other microorganisms.

Recently municipal water systems have discovered that many commonly used drugs and hormones are showing up in the water supply.  While wastewater in the U.S. is treated before it is discharged into reservoirs, rivers or lakes, most treatments do not remove all drug residue before some of the water is piped right back to consumers.

In many developing countries most domestic and industrial wastewater is discharged without any treatment or after primary treatment only. In Latin America about 15% of collected wastewater passes through treatment plants with varying levels of actual treatment, and many parts of the world are without any type of wastewater treatment at all.

Shortcomings of Current Treatment Methods

Current water purification systems have the disadvantage of relying on chemical methodologies which are expensive and can have unhealthy side effects.  Chlorination is the most common form of wastewater disinfection in North America due to its low cost and long-term history of effectiveness. One disadvantage is that chlorination of residual organic material can generate chlorinated-organic compounds that may be carcinogenic or harmful to the environment. Residual chlorine or chloramines may also be capable of chlorinating organic material in the natural aquatic environment. Further, because residual chlorine is toxic to aquatic species, the treated effluent must also be chemically dechlorinated, adding to the complexity and cost of treatment.

While reverse osmosis has been found effective at removing virtually all pharmaceutical contaminants, it is too expensive for large-scale use and leaves several gallons of polluted water for every one that is made drinkable. Adding chlorine, a common process in conventional drinking water treatment plants, makes some pharmaceuticals even more toxic.