Accuracy, Precision, Cost, and Usability of Silver Testing Methods for Ceramic Filter Factories
Meade, Rhiana.
2016
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Abstract:
Locally-manufactured ceramic water filters are one effective technology for household
drinking water treatment. During manufacturing, silver nanoparticles or silver nitrate
are applied to increase bacterial inactivation. There is currently no recommended method
to test silver application or residual concentrations during manufacturing. We
identified six commercially-available silver ... read moretest strips, kits, and meters, and
evaluated them by: 1) measuring in quintuplicate 6 samples from 100-1,000 mg/L
(application range) and 6 samples from 0.0-1.0 mg/L (residual range) of silver
nanoparticles and silver nitrate to determine accuracy and precision; 2) conducting
volunteer testing to assess ease-of-use; and, 3) comparing costs. We found no method was
appropriate for testing silver nanoparticles. For silver nitrate, accuracy ranged from
3-100% error, most methods were precise, volunteers found test strip methods easiest but
meters most reliable, and cost for 100 tests were 36-1,600 USD. No currently available
method met criteria for recommending to filter manufacturers. We recommend development
of field-appropriate methods that can measure application and residual concentrations
and test silver nanoparticles.
Thesis (M.S.)--Tufts University, 2016.
Submitted to the Dept. of Civil Engineering.
Advisor: Daniele Lantagne.
Committee: David Gute, Anna Murray, and Justine Rayner.
Keywords: Environmental engineering, and Environmental health.read less - ID:
- vd66wb17v
- Component ID:
- tufts:21257
- To Cite:
- TARC Citation Guide EndNote
