| Zeolite is a blanket term used to describe a group | | | | used beneficially. In the commercial purification of |
| of minerals which are micro-porous in nature, and | | | | waters (like that which leads to the production of |
| which usually contain aluminum and silicon in them, | | | | bottled 'mineral' water), we tend to see Zeolite, |
| alongside other metals. Thus contrary to the | | | | thanks to its micro-porous sieve-like nature, being |
| conception that many people have of Zeolite, it is | | | | widely used. Zeolite, still thanks to its micro-porous |
| not a chemical element, and neither does the | | | | nature, has also found widespread application in |
| name refer to a particular compound, but rather a | | | | the nuclear industry, as well as the petroleum |
| group of minerals. There are two types of Zeolite. | | | | industry where it is used as a catalyst in the |
| The first one is that of natural Zeolite, usually | | | | various processes involved in the making of |
| harvested from rocks, especially those of a | | | | various petro-chemical products. The detergent |
| volcanic variety. The second variety of Zeolite is | | | | you use most probably also contains some Zeolite |
| that which is 'manufactured' with specific ends in | | | | in it, as the manufacture of detergents is the |
| mind. The need for this type of Zeolite arose out | | | | area where the substance is most widely used. |
| of the fact that natural Zeolite, the variety that is | | | | The structural (construction), mining and space |
| harvested from volcanic rocks, tended to be | | | | exploration sectors have also found various |
| tainted with various impurities. | | | | applications for Zeolite, again mostly thanks to the |
| Zeolite has a number of properties that make it | | | | micro-porous structure of the Zeolite molecule, |
| ideal for a variety of applications. One of these | | | | which combined with the fact that it contains a |
| unique properties of Zeolite is that which arises | | | | strong negative charge makes it very unique |
| from the fact that its molecules are micro-porous, | | | | indeed. |
| which makes the same molecules to be 'sieves' of | | | | Turning to the second group of Zeolite uses, we |
| sorts. The other property that makes Zeolite ideal | | | | will be looking at the applications it has found in |
| for a number of applications is its usually strong | | | | the making of what have come to be termed as |
| negative electrochemical charge. | | | | Zeolite supplements. Zeolite's sieve-like molecular |
| So, what are some of these applications for | | | | structure, combined with its strong negative |
| Zeolite? | | | | charge, make it suitable for use a detoxifier; |
| Well, for the purposes of our discussion, we will | | | | especially in the removal of heavy metal toxins |
| group the numerous uses for Zeolite into two | | | | from the body. This use of Zeolite in the removal |
| huge groups. The first group is that of what may | | | | of heavy metal toxins from the body make the |
| be termed as industrial uses of Zeolite. The | | | | use of Zeolite supplements one of the few things |
| second is what may be termed as 'health uses' of | | | | that one can realistically do, to lessen their |
| Zeolite. | | | | chances of suffering from the various cancers; |
| Starting with the industrial applications of Zeolite, | | | | whose incidence correlates with high levels of |
| we see dozens of areas where Zeolite can be | | | | heavy metal toxicity in the body. |