Researchers have discovered that palladium catalysts can help to eliminate the presence of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in drinking water.

Martin Reinhard has led a group of scientists from Stanford University and the University of Illinois in the creation of the new method, which sees palladium, copper-enhanced palladium and nickel catalysts used in the water to remove NDMA.

NDMA is classed as a probable human carcinogen by the US Environmental Protection Agency, meaning that finding methods to get rid of it in drinking water is of significant importance.

The carcinogen often forms when water is disinfected with chlorine or chloramine, but is difficult to remove using normal methods, meaning that utilising the catalysts could prove an important development in reducing the costs of purifying water for drinking purposes.

The researchers added that this new approach of using palladium catalysts could be effective in treating a wide range of contaminants.

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