Heavy Metal PPM Checker
Lead at 0.01 PPM in water is the limit; in soil it is hundreds. Heavy metal limits depend entirely on the metal and the medium — enter your reading and metal to get the right verdict.
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Heavy Metal PPM Checker
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Lead at 0.01 PPM in water is the limit; in soil it is hundreds. Heavy metal limits depend entirely on the metal and the medium — enter your reading and metal to get the right verdict.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the PPM reading.
- Select the metal and medium.
- Get the limit verdict.
The formula
Reference bands from WHO/EPA/FDA limits.
What the units mean
PPM (parts per million) — one part of solute per million parts of the total mixture. The workhorse unit for trace concentrations in water, air, and food.
Worked example
Water lead 0.02 PPM → over the 0.015 EPA action level.
Quick reference
| Metal (water) | Limit PPM |
|---|---|
| Lead | 0.01–0.015 |
| Arsenic | 0.01 |
| Mercury | 0.002–0.006 |
| Cadmium | 0.003–0.005 |
Drinking water guidelines.
Where you will actually use this
"Is 5 PPM lead bad?" — in water, catastrophically; context is everything.
- Water testing
- Soil screening
- Food safety
- Product compliance
Mistakes that give wrong answers
- Applying water limits to soil
- Total vs bioavailable metal
Key takeaways
- Formula: Common heavy-metal regulatory limits in PPM
- Remember: Drinking water guidelines.
- Watch out for: Applying water limits to soil
- Next step: run your own numbers in the calculator above, then verify with a measurement — calculated values are only as good as the inputs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the lead limit in drinking water?
EPA action level 0.015 PPM; WHO guideline 0.01 PPM.