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Clinoptilolite is a natural zeolite with exceptional adsorption capacity. Integrated into an appropriate technical set-up it has been tested with raw-water mimicking the situation in emergencies where the requirement of safe drinking water has been critical for the public health. These results have been verified in practice in Chechenya and in Belgrade during the Balkan conflict. More recently the units have been used in Thailand in the aftermath of the tsunami and in Sudan. Future developments in treating water affected by radioactive fallout and arsenic are promising.

Clinoptilolite is a unique adsorbent with multiple functions. Well known are the removal of heavy metals and bacteria. Less studied are indirect effects on pollutants by immobilized bacteria. It has been possible to contain clinoptilolite in a portable and compact application for emergency situations. The technical solution has been tested under controlled conditions and it has been successfully utilised in a number of emergency situations where the absence of safe drinking water has been a major threat to public health. Further developments to remove emerging pollutants seem promising.