A team of scientists from the chemistry institute at the University of Sao Paulo is researching cheaper and more efficient ways to make use of the decontaminating property of iron. Using the metal to break down contaminating compounds “is still a technique that is very little studied in Brazil,” the study's leader, Renato Sanches Freire, told Tierramérica.

“Our hope is to achieve some technical advances, like the superficial modification of that material, re-use of different sources of iron, as well as reaction mechanisms that permit a more efficient and definitive removal of the contaminants,” he said.

Studies show that iron is quite effective when applied to organochloride compounds (found in pesticides and various chemical, pharmaceutical and agricultural inputs) and nitrogenates (found in colorants, pesticides and explosives). It is also possible to treat some types of heavy metals in a water medium.

According to Freire, using iron waste coming from the metallurgy industry for this type of application represents a great economic and environmental benefit, because normally this industry has to pay for appropriate disposal of its waste.