Germs, pollutants, and pesticides represent major risks to drinking water, especially in areas that do not have the proper resources to purify water. A research associate at the National University of Singapore, Ramakrishna Mallampati, discovered a simple way to purify water by combining rubbing alcohol with tomato and apple peels.
Mallampati found out that by rubbing small pieces of fruit peels in alcohol solution and drying them out before putting the peels in dirty groundwater for a few hours, one can purify their drinking water on their own with minimal resources. While the process does not rid the water of pathogens, the fruit peels absorb heavy metal ions, pesticides, dyes, and nanoparticles, making the H2O much safer to drink.
The hope for the future is that, as research progresses, fruit peels can help heavily-polluted countries ensure safe drinking water for their citizens.
