Mercury (inorganic)

Bayou Teche Water Works

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.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

Samples

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

Year	Average result	Samples taken	Range of results
2014	ND	8	ND
2015	N/A	0	N/A
2016	ND	2	ND
2017	ND	6	ND
2018	N/A	0	N/A
2019	ND	6	ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

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

Date	Lab ID	Result
2014-01-21	AD88512	ND
2014-01-21	AD88502	ND
2014-01-21	AD88507	ND
2014-01-21	AD88512	ND
2014-01-21	AD88517	ND
2014-01-21	AD88507	ND
2014-01-21	AD88502	ND
2014-01-21	AD88517	ND
2016-05-03	35242939001	ND
2016-05-03	35242939001	ND
2017-03-20	AE13329	ND
2017-03-20	AE13325	ND
2017-03-20	AE13321	ND
2017-03-20	AE13321	ND
2017-03-20	AE13325	ND
2017-03-20	AE13329	ND
2019-03-25	B1901133-001	ND
2019-03-25	B1901133-001	ND
2019-06-25	B1902677-002	ND
2019-06-25	B1902677-002	ND
2019-08-20	35493717001	ND
2019-08-20	35493717001	ND