Wood charcoal as a decontaminating agent for the removal of insecticides in water.

The production of insecticides and their use in agriculture,
public health and forestry result in the contamination of soils, water
and vegetation. A lew harmless, economical and inert adsorbents
are screened to decontaminate water both from orRanophosphorus
and organochlorine insecticides. Among the different adsorbents
screened, wood charcoal powder 35/40 mesh size at 4% level could
remove BHC, DDT, lindane and at 5% level fenitrothion, parathion
and cidial. Malathion was removed to about 80%. Since the material
is readily available, cheap aDd harmless, it can be ased to
purify insecticide contaminated water for drinking purposes.