The University of Saskatchewan is researching the use of agricultural waste to remove arsenic from drinking water.

The University says over 200 million people in more than 70 countries, including some in Canada, are drinking water with a high concentration of arsenic.

The risks include cancer, nausea and blood vessel damage.

Researchers in the College of Engineering are developing an affordable method to remove arsenic from water.

They are turning farm waste, like wheat and canola straw, into a filter that absorbs the toxin.

The team is using the Canadian Light Source at the University to make their water purifying process more efficient.

The synchrotron light, millions of times brighter than the sun, is being used to reveal detailed information about the filter.

The teams invention could help put agricultural residue to good use.

Currently, Canada produces about 47 million tons of these residues.

The Canadian Light Source at the University hosts each year over one thousand scientists from around the world to conduct ground-breaking research in areas of agriculture, health, environment and advanced materials.

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