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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Mercury (inorganic)

Bethesda WSC

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

 

27

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2013N/A00N/A
2014N/A00N/A
2015N/A00N/A
2016ND150ND
2017ND30ND
2018N/A00N/A
2019ND90ND

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
2016-02-17Q1607184007ND
2016-02-17Q1607184006ND
2016-03-21Q1611365002ND
2016-04-20Q1615721010ND
2016-04-20Q1615721009ND
2016-04-20Q1615721008ND
2016-10-20Q1644787015ND
2016-10-20Q1644787019ND
2016-10-20Q1644787014ND
2016-10-20Q1644787018ND
2016-10-20Q1644787013ND
2016-11-08Q1648213001ND
2016-11-08Q1648213003ND
2016-11-08Q1648213002ND
2016-11-08Q1648213042ND
2017-01-31Q1704122018ND
2017-01-31Q1704122017ND
2017-10-17Q1753293029ND
2019-01-15Q1901990010ND
2019-01-15Q1901990009ND
2019-01-15Q1901990008ND
2019-04-11Q1914886021ND
2019-04-11Q1914886020ND
2019-04-11Q1914886019ND
2019-04-11Q1914886018ND
2019-04-11Q1914886017ND
2019-10-07Q1971784001ND