Artists recycle toxic waste into paint

A group of artists, engineers, and environmentalists have come up with a way to get rid of acid mine drainage or AMD leaking from abandoned mines.

In southeast Ohio in the United States, contaminated rivers and lands have turned red due to the presence of sulfuric acid and iron oxide.

These two chemicals are also used in making paint, so they are filtered from polluted water, and then dried and crushed to produce pigment that changes color in different temperatures.

"This dried pigment from toxic coal sludge is then ground with linseed oil and a glass muller to create artist-grade oil paint or mixed with acrylic polymers and resins to make water-based paints," said John Sabraw, professor of art at Ohio University.

Groups are now pursuing a wider production of recycled and sustainable paint.

Coupled with water treatment initiative, they are hoping to help clean and rehabilitate rivers and streams in the area.

—MGP, GMA News