Mercury in Water

Mercury in water (Hg) is not very common and fortunately for humans is one of the least abundant elements in the earth's crust. Mercury exists in two forms, an inorganic salt or an organic compound (methyl mercury). Mercury in drinking water is of the inorganic type. Organic mercury enters the food chain through fish and comes primarily from industrial chemical manufacturing waste or from the leaching of coal ash. Due to the health effects of exposure to mercury in drinking water, industrial and commercial uses are regulated by the governments of many countries. If water contaminated with inorganic mercury enters the body, it usually settles in the kidneys. Conversely water contaminated with organic mercury attacks the central nervous system. The MCL (maximum contamination level) of mercury levels in water set by the US EPA is 0.002 mg/l.  
 
Mercury Water Treatment - Effective mercury water treatment includes Activated carbon filtration as a very effective way to remove mercury in drinking water. Reverse osmosis water systems will remove 95 - 97 % of mercury in water.