Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Mercury (inorganic)

East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission

NOTE: East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission purchases water from New London Department of Public Utilities which is required to test for mercury (inorganic). Sample information shown below was taken by New London Department of Public Utilities.

Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that also damages the kidneys and other internal organs. Mercury enters drinking water from industrial pollution, mining wastes and coal-fired power plants.

 

12

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND10ND
2019ND20ND
2020ND40ND
2021ND20ND
2022ND20ND
2023ND50ND

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 1.2 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 1.2 ppb for mercury (inorganic) was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against harm to internal organs.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL): 2 ppb

The legal limit for inorganic mercury, established in 1991, was based on toxicity studies conducted in laboratory animals in the 1970s and 1980s. This limit does not include any additional consideration of children’s health.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

NOTE: East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission purchases water from New London Department of Public Utilities which is required to test for mercury (inorganic). Sample information shown below was taken by New London Department of Public Utilities.

Date Lab ID Result
2018-11-2928421IOC1ND
2018-11-2928424IOCRND
2019-11-2030474IOC1ND
2019-11-2030468IOCRND
2020-12-0132747IOC1ND
2020-12-0132742IOCRND
2021-10-2734802IOC1ND
2021-10-2734798IOCRND
2022-09-1536583IOC1ND
2022-09-1536579IOCRND
2023-09-1438753IOC1ND
2023-09-1438756IOCRND