Question

A farmer has recently dug a new well for his property. He sends a 14.0 mL sample of the well water to the EPA to be tested for the presence of beryllium. What is the maximum amount of Be (in μg) that can be present in this 14.0 mL sample based on its MCL?

Answer 1

MCL is?

Answer 2

0.004 mg x 14.0 ml /1000ml= 5.6 x 10^-5 mg x 10^3 = 0.056 ug

Technical Factsheet on: BERYLLIUM
List of Contaminants
As part of the Drinking Water and Health pages, this fact sheet is part of a larger publication:
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
Drinking Water Standards
MCLG: 0.004 mg/l
MCL: 0.004 mg/l
HAL(child): 1- to 10-day: 30 mg/L; Longer-term: 4 mg/L
Health Effects Summary
Acute: EPA has found beryllium to potentially cause the following health effects from acute exposures at
levels above the MCL: inhalation may cause acute chemical pneumonitis; less toxic via oral exposure.
Short-term exposures in drinking water considered "safe" for a 10-kg (22 lb.) child consuming one liter of
water per day: up to a ten-day exposure to 30 mg/L; a longer-term exposure (upto 7 years) to 4 mg/L.
Chronic: Beryllium has the potential to cause the following health effects from long-term exposures at
levels above the MCL: damage to bones and lungs.
Cancer: There is limited evidence that beryllium may cause cancer from lifetime exposures at levels
above the MCL.

Answer 3

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) = 0.004 milligrams per Liter (mg/L) or 4 parts per billion (ppb)
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) = 0.004 mg/L or 4 ppb