Mercury (Inorganic)
Category: inorganic
EPA MCL
0.002 mg/L
Status
EPA Regulated
NSF Standard
NSF/ANSI 53, NSF/ANSI 58
Health Effects
Kidney damage with long-term exposure. Short-term exposure at high levels can cause nausea, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal distress. Organic mercury (methylmercury) - primarily a food concern - causes neurological damage.
Where It Comes From
Erosion of natural deposits, discharge from refineries and factories, runoff from landfills, and runoff from cropland. Coal-fired power plants are a major environmental source.
Where It's Commonly Found
Areas near industrial facilities, mining operations, and coal-fired power plants. Also found near landfills and agricultural runoff areas.
Relatively uncommon in public water supplies at levels exceeding the MCL. More commonly a concern in private wells near industrial sites.
How to Remove It
Effective Technologies
- reverse osmosis
- activated carbon
- carbon block
- distillation
- KDF
Does NOT Remove It
- UV
- mechanical filtration
- water softener
Filters That Address Mercury (Inorganic)
2 filters in our database list Mercury (Inorganic) reduction.
Clearly Filtered Pitcher
pitcher
$90
$165/yr filters
Price checked Apr 2026
PUR PLUS PFM400H
faucet
$32
$78.6/yr filters
Price checked Apr 2026
Official Sources
Related Contaminants
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Enter Your ZIP Code →Informational guidance based on EPA data and NSF standards - not medical advice.