How to Detect Heavy Metals in Water
To test for heavy metals in water, request a sample bottle from a laboratory accredited or certified, as applicable, for the requested analysis. Collect the water according to the laboratory’s instructions and return it with a chain of custody form. The lab analyzes the sample, often using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and reports metal concentrations in units such as µg/L for comparison with applicable drinking water limits.
Overview of the Effects of Heavy Metals in Water
Exposure to elevated concentrations of certain metals in drinking water can cause serious health problems, depending on the contaminant, concentration, and duration of exposure. Most heavy metal contaminants are odorless, colorless, and tasteless, so testing is how you find them.
Drinking water can be contaminated with heavy metals in numerous ways. For example, lead can enter water through plumbing systems with older lead pipes or lead solder.
Metals can enter water through natural deposits, mining, industrial discharges, waste disposal, fuel combustion, plumbing corrosion, and the movement of contaminants through soil into groundwater.
What Are the Most Common Heavy Metal Pollutants in Water?
Several heavy metals can contaminate water. Their sources and potential health effects vary, so the appropriate testing depends on the water source and the contaminants of concern.
Arsenic
Arsenic leaches from natural deposits and is found in wood preservatives, pesticides, and industrial waste. It is also associated with petroleum production, semiconductor manufacturing, and coal-burning power plants.
Long-term exposure to arsenic through drinking water can increase the risk of certain cancers and other health problems.
Barium
Barium can leach from mineral deposits, drilling waste, copper smelting, and the manufacturing of car and truck parts.
Long-term exposure to barium above the federal drinking water limit may increase blood pressure. Potential effects depend on the concentration and duration of exposure.
Cadmium
Natural deposits can release cadmium into groundwater. Metal refineries, batteries, and recycling activities can also contribute to cadmium contamination.
Long-term exposure to cadmium above the federal drinking water limit can damage the kidneys.
Lead
Older homes and apartment buildings may still have lead pipes, lead-containing solder, and old brass fittings. Lead is also released through industrial processes, mining, and the smelting of ores.
Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health problems, including learning difficulties and impaired brain development in children. It can also affect kidney function and pregnancy outcomes.
Mercury
Mercury occurs naturally and can be released during volcanic eruptions, forest fires, and the burning of fossil fuels. Mining and certain industrial activities can also contribute to mercury pollution. Torrent Laboratory’s guide to toxic heavy metals found in water compares mercury with other metals to test for.
Mercury’s health effects depend on its chemical form, concentration, and duration of exposure. EPA identifies kidney damage as a potential effect of long-term exposure to inorganic mercury above the federal drinking water limit.
What Are the Effects of Heavy Metals in Water?
The effects of heavy metals in water can include several health problems, some of which are particularly dangerous for children. Because children’s bodies, brains, and organ systems are still developing, they can be especially vulnerable to certain heavy metals, even at relatively low levels of exposure.
Protecting children, families, employees, clients, and customers from contaminated water should be a priority for businesses.
A business can test its water for these contaminants. If testing identifies elevated concentrations, the results can help determine whether further investigation, treatment, or other corrective action is needed.
How to Test for Heavy Metals in Water
Heavy metal detection in water is a scientific process that requires appropriate sampling and laboratory analysis. An overall metals test may be a suitable starting point in some situations, while targeted testing may be more appropriate when a particular pollutant is associated with your geographic area, building, water provider, or private well.
Choosing the right test requires an understanding of local contamination concerns, the metals that may be present, and the applicable testing requirements.
Testing frequency depends on the water source, potential contamination risks, and relevant regulatory requirements. Businesses with older plumbing or properties in industrial areas may need to investigate potential contamination. For private well owners, following guidance on when and how to test well water can help determine which contaminants to test for and when testing may be necessary.
Step 1: Decide Which Metals to Test For
Start by identifying which metals may be present in your water. A full metals panel can measure several metals, while targeted testing focuses on one metal or a smaller group. For example, lead may be a concern in older buildings with aging plumbing, while arsenic may warrant investigation in some private wells. Ask the laboratory which test fits your situation.
Step 2: Get Sample Bottles From the Lab
Request the appropriate sample containers before collecting water. The laboratory will advise you on the correct bottles, handling requirements, and whether any preservation is needed. Keep containers closed until sampling, and rinse them only if the laboratory instructs you to. Incorrect containers or handling can compromise the sample.
Step 3: Collect the Sample
Follow the laboratory’s sampling instructions carefully. Collection requirements can vary depending on the metal being tested and the purpose of the analysis. For example, some lead investigations require a first-draw sample after water has remained unused in the plumbing for a specified period. Sampling protocols differ by testing purpose, so confirm the correct tap, volume, stagnation period, and collection procedure with the laboratory.
Step 4: Return the Sample With a Chain of Custody Form
A chain of custody form records sample details and documents its transfer and handling. Complete the required information and return the sample within the laboratory’s specified holding time. Use Torrent Laboratory’s chain of custody form and check whether Torrent Express sample pickup is suitable for your location.
Step 5: Have the Lab Analyze the Sample
The laboratory uses an appropriate analytical method to measure the metals in your sample. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) can measure multiple elements at low concentrations in one analysis. The method and reporting limits depend on the metals being tested and the requirements of the project.
Step 6: Compare Your Results Against Drinking Water Limits
The laboratory report lists the concentration of each metal tested, often in micrograms per liter (µg/L). Compare the results with the applicable drinking water standards or guidelines, taking into account the water’s intended use and relevant regulations. The EPA’s drinking water regulations provide information about federal standards for public drinking water systems.
Home Test Strips vs Lab Testing
Home test strips can provide an initial indication that certain metals may be present, depending on the product. Laboratory testing measures concentrations precisely enough to compare with a drinking water limit and provides documented results for a formal assessment or business records.
| Factor | Home test strips | Lab analysis |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | A color change suggesting a metal may be present | A measured concentration for each metal tested |
| Metals covered | One or a few metals per strip | Individual metals or a selected panel |
| Use against limits | Approximate indication only | Results can be compared with applicable limits when reported in suitable units |
| Documentation | Usually no formal laboratory report | Laboratory report and associated sample documentation |
Choose laboratory analysis when you need documented results or concentrations that can be compared with applicable limits.
Heavy Metal Testing at Torrent Laboratory
When choosing a laboratory, review its relevant accreditations, analytical methods, and experience with your type of water sample. Torrent Laboratory uses inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for heavy metal testing in water, detecting trace metals in groundwater and drinking water.
Torrent Laboratory lists the following accreditations, approvals, and testing practices. Because coverage applies only to specified activities, confirm the laboratory’s current standing and scope for the required analytes, methods, and sample type.
- California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP): Accreditation for applicable environmental testing.
- Department of Energy Consolidated Audit Program Accreditation Program (DOECAP-AP): Accreditation for applicable Department of Energy projects.
- Department of Defense Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (DoD ELAP): Accreditation for applicable Department of Defense environmental testing projects.
Torrent Laboratory uses applicable EPA-approved procedures for certain analyses. Confirm the specific method and its accreditation status before submitting samples.
Testing requirements vary by water source and intended use. Businesses investigating drinking water quality can review the available drinking water testing options to identify suitable analytical services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do you test water for heavy metals?
To test water for heavy metals, request sample containers from a laboratory accredited or certified, as applicable, for the requested analysis. Collect the water as instructed and return it with the required chain of custody form. The lab analyzes the sample and reports the concentration of each metal tested so you can compare the results with applicable drinking water limits.
Q2. Can home test strips detect heavy metals?
Some home test strips indicate whether a particular metal may be present in water. Laboratory analysis gives a measured concentration you can compare with a drinking water limit, along with documented results for a water quality assessment.
Q3. Which lab method detects heavy metals in water?
ICP-MS is a common laboratory method for measuring several metals at trace levels. The appropriate method depends on the metals being tested, the required detection limits, and the purpose of the analysis. Ask the laboratory which method is suitable for your sample and testing requirements.
Q4. How often should a business test its water?
How often a business should test its water depends on the water source, the age and condition of its plumbing, potential contamination risks, and applicable regulatory requirements. A qualified laboratory or the relevant authority can help set an appropriate testing schedule.
Q5. What does ppb mean on a water test report?
PPB means parts per billion. In water, 1 ppb is approximately equal to 1 µg/L. Check the units on your laboratory report before comparing a result with a drinking water limit, and make sure you are using the standard or guideline that applies to the water’s intended use.
Contact Torrent Laboratory
Heavy metals can be difficult to detect without testing, making laboratory analysis an important step in assessing water quality. Understanding the metals of concern, collecting samples correctly, and reviewing the results against applicable limits can help businesses make informed decisions about their water.
Contact us to discuss your water testing requirements and determine which analysis is suitable for your needs.
