FIU chemistry researcher Islam Ibrahim Hussein says the inedible castoffs could be the key to cleaner water. Rice husk, an agricultural byproduct, is at the center of his research to develop a more sustainable way to remove contaminants from water. The findings suggest the material could become a promising approach for removing contaminants from water while also reducing agricultural waste. The researchers used the same material in subsequent tests and found it can be reused at least five times without any loss of effectiveness. When rice husk is discarded, it can create environmental challenges, especially when it is burned, releasing pollutants into the air, or improperly disposed of in large quantities.