Dr. S. S. Newaz, a scientist and community leader in Houston was involved in the innovation of SONO Filter for arsenic-polluted water along with Dr Abul Hussam.  Dr. Newaz is also involved in establishing a Bangladeshi center in Houston, Texas.

Dr Abul Hussam, a chemistry professor at George Mason University, Fairfax, received the Grainger Challenge Gold Award of one million dollar for his SONO filter, a household water treatment system that removes arsenic from drinking water.