Table of Contents
Mercury (Hg) in Tap Water
A technical paper by Olympian Water Testing specialists
Mercury in Drinking Water
Mercury is a metallic element, silver-white and naturally occurring in the environment and is liquid at ordinary pressures and temperatures [1]. Mercury is widely dispersed by nature, from volcanic eruptions to rainwater [2]. Mercury in small quantities is also present in water and food, and is safe for your body. Mercury occurs mainly in machines such as switches, dry-cell batteries, barometers, thermometers and fluorescent lamps. Also present in natural ore bodies around the world [2]. There are organic Mercury and inorganic Mercury. Organic Mercury is more toxic to a human being than inorganic Mercury [3]. We will teach you about Mercury contamination of water, health effects of mercury in water, how you can reduce them and how to clean the water.
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How does Mercury contaminate drinking water?
The Mercury that accumulates in the atmosphere is the biggest source, according to geologists. The mercury gas from volcanoes spills into the air, and flies through before rain falls and pours back down on the face of the planet. As well as volcanoes, fumaroles, solfataras and geological fault lines all have Mercury that is released into the atmosphere [4]. Rock erodes, leaching Mercury from the rock and entering groundwater, poisoning rivers, lakes and wells nearby [5]. As the US Geological Survey revealed, the highest mercury release in the environment was human-generated, namely, the electricity, coal and waste-discharge sectors [6].
Rain and snow
In the US, we get our most fresh water from rain and snow, when Mercury returns to Earth from the sky in the form of rain. Water in the rain contains between 5–100 ng/litre of mercury [2]. Mercury can fall into rivers, wells and lakes after rain or snow. Further, some bodies of water could be contaminated with Mercury directly released from factories [5, 6].
Metal Production and mining
Mercury can also be found in mining slag. If we dig gold, for instance, the workers use Mercury-based chemicals. : Elemental Mercury is used to make gold from ore as amalgam, broken down by hand, and heated to isolate the gold and boil off the Mercury. There are over 1000 tons of Mercury released annually from tailings and vaporised Mercury in small gold mining [7]. Chemical waste, from chemical spills, and from older mining or decontamination operations of mercury chemicals can enter the water as well.
Emissions from coal-fired power plants
As per US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), coal plant emissions are the most important sources of Mercury released to the atmosphere in the United States (US) [8].
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Health Effects of Mercury
Atmospheric Mercury is inorganic Mercury, and Mercury, once emitted to the environment, can be transformed by microbes in soils and water into the physiologically toxic methylmercury (MeHg) [6].
Mercury has toxic health effects on human health, so test your drinking water. It damages the nervous, immune and digestive systems, the eyes, the skin, the lungs and kidneys.
Possible mercury poisoning symptoms (often neurological): [9]:
Muscle weakness
Impaired vision, hearing, and speech
Impairing sensation
Lack of coordination of movements
Slurred speech, hearing, walking; and so on.
"Pins and needles" sensations in feet, hands, around the mouth.
Tremors
Memory loss
Insomnia
Lethargy
Mercury is neurotoxic and any exposure can be slight, severe or lethal if lots are users. What mercury does to the body will vary from one situation to another, but can include the following:
How much mercury contamination in the water.
The quantity of mercury contaminant
Age of the individual (kids are at higher risk than adults)
Time period of exposure (days, weeks, months, years, or decades) and method of exposure.
Its exposure path (injecting, touching, eating, breathing)
If the exposed person has any previous medical history or disease.
Premature babies and children suffer the most from mercury in the water, particularly if exposed to organic and inorganic Mercury. It’s a combination of exposures that can cause memory loss, brain injury, poor eyesight, irritability and loss of hearing. Additionally, infants of women who had taken methylmercury were found to be cerebral palsy and deformities more likely [3]. In this way, children exposed to methylmercury will have worse visual-spatial functioning, memory and cognitive functioning, fine motor skills, attention and language.
Cancer
EPA: It’s only infrequently documented that mercury is the cause of cancer. But there is evidence that Mercury-heavy living can cause more of all kinds of tumours in mice and rats. In a study of rats, exposed to high levels of mercury, cancers of the thyroid or stomach appeared [10]. The USEPA has designated mercuric chloride, an inorganic mercury salt, and methylmercury, an organic mercury, as human carcinogens. Yet research has shown that mercury toxins cause oxidative DNA changes and DNA damage, which promotes malignancy [11, 12].
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Why should I test My Water for Mercury contamination?
Water is the source of life in the human body. Water purity and purity should never be assumed since anything that’s contaminated can have harmful health effects.
As reported by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), less than 0.01% of Mercury enters the body from contaminated water [10]. So quantities over ATSDR’s guidelines are harmful to the body.
The USEPA says that the safe levels of Mercury exposure should be 2 ppb (parts per billion) of divalent Mercury [13]. In concentrations above 2 ppb or 100 ng/mL mercury poisoning has been linked.
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Is regular water testing for mercury contaminants necessary?
Water that must be tested regularly for contaminants, such as mercury and other toxins that can be harmful to human health. When you think that your water is contaminated, have a professional perform a mercury testing. Mercury doesn’t smell, and it is toxic enough to produce the risk of chronic exposure without notice. You will need water testing as an Annual Consumer Confidence Report for most water system should be provided every year as per EPA [14], water contamination can occur at any time of year. In addition to regular testing, it’s crucial to remain vigilant about any changes in water quality. Utilizing olympian water testing services can provide an in-depth analysis of potential contaminants and ensure your water remains safe for consumption. Always prioritize the well-being of your household by staying informed and proactive about water safety measures. Moreover, it’s essential to educate yourself about the signs of water contamination, such as discoloration, unusual tastes, or odors. Taking proactive steps, such as using Olympian water testing services regularly, can help identify potential issues before they pose a significant threat to health. By staying proactive and well-informed, you ensure a safe drinking environment for you and your family.
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Mercury Removal from Drinking Water
Four processes remove Mercury from water: reverse osmosis, granular activated carbon (GAC), coagulation (filtration) and lime softening. We don’t recommend boiling your water to get rid of the mercury [15]. You could even pick another water supply if the one you currently consume has Mercury in it. But the best thing is to have your water tested for mercury contaminations.
Reverse Osmosis
Reverse Osmosis Water Filter Pushes tap water through a membrane where larger ions cannot pass through. The composite membrane filter of this water filter includes media containing Kinetic Degradation Fluxion (KDF) to filter your water from mercury [16]. Make sure to use the right filters and cartridges as part of Mercury purification. Reverse osmosis is the most cost-effective method which gets rid of 90%-99% of all the main contaminants [17]. Pore sizes in the reverse osmosis membranes are more narrow for high quality water. But you’ll need larger units if you’re filtering huge amounts of water.
Distillation
The water distillation plants boil the water and condense it to remove all the main solid contaminants (Mercury, Lead). Distillation systems can be any size and you can get a mini version to disinfect your drinking water.
The biggest problem is that small distillers make only tiny volumes of water. A distillation process is more expensive than reverse osmosis because first you need power to boil water.
Granulated Activation Charcoal (GAC)
Another Mercury removal technique is granulated activated carbon (GAC) filters. GAC filters are simple, inexpensive, simple to implement and rely on a porous carbon medium like a heavy charcoal layer to get rid of mercury elements [18, 19]. When the water passes through the GAC medium, the Mercury and other dissolved contaminants get locked on the activated charcoal surface [18]. The GAC isn’t perfect though, and that constrains its effectiveness. GAC filters depend on the amount of mercury in water and pH levels in the water and GAC filters should be changed regularly for best results. However, GAC works well on water pH less than 7. Further, the GAC filters need to be changed at least every other few months to ensure optimal performance.
Lime Softening
The process of lime softening involves using limewater or calcium hydroxide from lime water surplus to ph adjustment of water to precipitate heavy metals such as Mercury as Mercury Hydroxide [20]. This method removes Mercury as well as softens the water by removing hardness from the water. Lime softening for instance, effectively filters out magnesium and calcium minerals from water. Using lime softener is recommended as it’s an efficient mercury remover solution that’s also reasonably priced.
Filtration
The water is treated with Aluminum sulphate solution (AISO4). AISO4 reacts with the Mercury and extracts Mercury from the polluted water by precipitation or coagulation [21, 22]. When it’s finished, a sludge results which can be disposed of afterward with care.
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Factors to consider before selecting a Mercury treatment method
Water quality
Before installing a water purifier, first, know the quality of the water. Testing water quality helps determine the type of purifier needed and the contamination to remove.
Ease of installation
Always select a purifier that is easy to install and operate. For example, under-the-counter water purifiers are easy to install because they dispense water through the tap. Additionally, they do not require power because the purification process is initiated as water pushes through them.
Maintenance Needs
The proper functioning of the purifier depends on maintenance, which includes changing the filters. The filters must be replaced regularly, especially when the alarm goes off. An under-the-counter water purifier is cost-effective and requires less maintenance.
Space for Tap
The kitchen top is where you fix a tap for the purifier and should therefore have a hole. If the kitchen top lacks an open space for fixing the tap, have a professional drill for you and use it when fixing the tap of the water purifier.
Also, ensure the place you will install the water purifier is clean and dirt-free. The sink should not have a leakage, especially where you place the water purifier.
Budget
The most crucial factor to consider when purchasing a purifier is your budget. The budget should include the operational and maintenance costs, the initial cost of buying the system, and filter change costs. Choose wisely and purchase a purifier that best suits your financial budget and water filtration requirements.
Water Pressure and Flow rate
The flow rate of water pressure should be checked before completing the water filtration system installation process. Each water filter system comes with a different range of pressure. Select the best and most efficient purifier to save time and operation costs.
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Does boiling water remove Mercury?
Boiling water to remove Mercury is a misconception held by the majority of people. The goal of boiling water is to remove bacteria and solid wastes, not hard metals, including lead and Mercury. It is not recommendable to boil water because such a process can increase inorganic mercury levels in the water. Water boiling point is 100 degrees Celsius maximum, below most metals’ boiling point, including mercury (356.7 degrees Celsius). Therefore, Mercury can be removed by boiling water.
Please consider water treatment methods such as GAC filters and reverse osmosis, professionally designed to remove Mercury.
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Why You Need a Water Purifier to Remove Mercury
Mercury is a harmful element when consumed, and it is present in large amounts in the US water bodies, such as Lake Michigan, the leading water supplier of drinking water in Chicago. A water purifier is needed to protect your health and those you care about. A reverse osmosis water purifier can help remove heavy materials such as lead, Mercury, and other volatile organic metals, fluoride, and arsenic compounds, highlighting its multiple advantages.
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Mercury - Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mercury?
Mercury is a heavy, silvery-white metal element that exists as a solid crystal or a liquid at room temperature [23]. Liquid mercury is odorless, invisible, and produces toxic vapors. Mercury is found in electronic devices, skin products, drinking and lake water, and fish.
Do industrial wastes contain Mercury?
Industries are the number one pollution contributor because their waste products may contain large amounts of Mercury. Electrical products such as fluorescent light bulbs, dry-cell batteries, and other equipment account for 50% of Mercury [6].
How much is Mercury released to the environment?
The natural process releases large deposits of Mercury from the earth’s crust. Combustion of metals, fossil fuels, municipal landfills, sewerage, and metal refining operations are essential sources of Mercury.
Should I be worried about eating other things containing Mercury besides drinking water?
Yes. Fish may have Mercury if they are from a contaminated river or lake.
Will exposure to Mercury result in harmful health effects?
Drinking water with Mercury or eating contaminated food exposes your body to several health effects. The following are examples of health effects you may experience after exposure to high mercury levels.
- Confusion, hand tremors
- Chills
- Chest tightness, bronchitis, pneumonia
- Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite
- Bleeding gums
- Leg pains and burning sensation in feet
- Lung and kidney damage
- Skin rashes.
- Reproductive effects include menstrual problems
What are the standard regulatory levels of Mercury in drinking water?
The federal and state drinking water standards are 2 parts per billion (ppb) of Mercury. Stop drinking and using that water with more than 2 ppb of Mercury for domestic purposes. For higher levels of Mercury, avoid bathing, washing, or other purposes, including farming.
Can I remove Mercury from drinking water?
It is possible to remove traces of Mercury from drinking water. First, you need tocontact professionals to perform testing and analysisof your water in order to learn about any mercury contamination levels. The commonly used mercury removal practices include reverse osmosis, GAC filters, lime softening, distillation, and special cartridges and filters.
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