According to the EPA, the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of antimony in drinkin

Question

According to the EPA, the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of antimony in drinking water is 0.0060 mg/L.

(a) Convert the MCL of antimony from milligrams per liter to parts per billion (ppb).

(b) A farmer has recently dug a new well for his property. He sends a 10.0 mL sample of the well water to the EPA to be tested for the presence of antimony. What is the maximum amount of Sb (in g) that can be present in this 10.0 mL sample based on its MCL?

(c) Suppose the farmer has rethought his plan and dug a new well on the other side of his property. He sends a new 10.0 mL sample. After testing, the EPA determines that the sample of water contains 0.00134 g/mL Sb. Is the well water safe to consume? Choices: Yes, no, not enough information

Explanation / Answer

a) 1ppm = 10^1mg / L    hence 0.006 mg/L = 0.006 ppm

1ppb = 10^ 3 x ppm = 0.006 x 10^3 = 6 ppb                ( 1ppb = 1 microgram per liter)

b) for 10 ml which is 0.01 Liter maximum amount = 0.01 literx ( 6 micrograms /liter) = 0.06 micrograms

c) sample has 0.00134 ug /ml hence for liter we have 1000 ml x 0.00134 ug/ml = 1.34 ug

Hence this is lowe level than MCL ( 6 ug/liter) , hence safe

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