WHITE PLAINS, NY, May 5, 2009 -- ITT Corporation, the leading provider of pumps and systems for the movement and treatment of water and wastewater, has released the results of a comprehensive study showing that ozone oxidation is highly effective for treating micropollutants like Endocrine Disrupting Compounds (EDCs). These potentially threatening substances, such as discarded pharmaceuticals, can be found in municipal wastewater effluents. The results were outlined in a presentation at the North American Regional joint conference of the International Ozone Association (IOA) and International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) in Boston by Dr. Achim Ried, Director of Research and Development at ITT's Water and Wastewater business in Germany.
"EDCs in the water stream are a serious issue in water treatment, potentially threatening people and wildlife," said Dr. Ried. "Ozone oxidation offers proven advantages over traditional chlorination and other oxidation processes that can't effectively deal with organic micro-pollutants like pharmaceuticals. ITT studied ozone treatment of EDCs at nine wastewater treatment facilities across Europe over a period of ten years. We found that ozone treatment usually offers proven advantages for comprehensive disinfection as well as for color and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) reductions."
High (more than 90 percent) removal rates are achieved for most of the investigated compounds by using ozone oxidation, Dr. Ried said. The studies also showed that ozone treatment ensures selective oxidation of contaminants, and is more energy-efficient and cost-effective than other advanced oxidation processes.
Dr. Ried said that ITT is unique in its ability to offer ozone solutions, as well as ultraviolet (UV) technologies, in combination with other oxidants, to treat EDC contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and steroids. When released into water systems by industry, hospitals and homes, they may adversely alter the endocrine systems in fish and humans. In view of this hazard, government agencies in Europe and North America have been moving forward to enact regulations limiting the level of micro-pollutants that will be acceptable in municipal water.
"The regulatory principle is preventive action," said Dr. Ried. "Even very subtle effects on the endocrine system can result in changes in growth, development, reproduction or behavior that can affect the organism itself."
ITT has delivered its WEDECO® ozone technology for the world's first full-scale demonstration at a municipal plant in Switzerland. After successful trial operations that concluded late last year, ITT received an order to deliver its technology for a second full-scale demonstration at another plant, also in Switzerland.
Dr. Ried joined ITT Corporation's Water and Wastewater business in 1993, and has served in a variety of technical positions at its WEDECO® unit in Hereford, Germany over the last 16 years. Dr. Ried is a member of the German Association of Chemists, the International Ozone Association, FIGAWA (the German Association of Water Treatment and Gas Production), and the International Water Association. He studied at the University of Gottingen and the University of Marburg, and holds a degree in chemistry, as well as a doctorate in Environmental Chemistry.
ITT Water & Wastewater is a world leader in transport and treatment of wastewater and provides a complete range of water, wastewater and drainage pumps, equipment for monitoring and control, units for primary and secondary biological treatment, products for filtration and disinfection, and related services.
ITT Corporation is a diversified high-technology engineering and manufacturing company dedicated to creating more livable environments, enabling communications and providing protection and safety.
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