Why in news?
IIT Hyderabad scientists have converted fly ash into waterproofing material.
Fly Ash
- Fly ash is a fine powder that is a byproduct of burning pulverized coal in electric generation power plants.
- Fly ash is a pozzolan, a substance containing aluminous and siliceous material that forms cement in the presence of water.
- When mixed with lime and water, fly ash forms a compound similar to Portland cement.
- This makes fly ash suitable as a prime material in blended cement, mosaic tiles, and hollow blocks, among other building materials.
Problems–
- It is a pollutant and a major source of Particulate matter (PM) 2.5 in the summer.
- It contains black carbon (BC) and other heavy and toxic metals like chromium,copper and lead.
- Makes water unworthy of drinking and cause potential damage for growing crops.
- It contains more radiation than nuclear wastes.
