Lead and mercury are examples of which category of contaminants?

Prepare for the American Water Works Water Treatment Plant Operator Test. Study with multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready to excel!

Lead and mercury are inorganic contaminants because they are metals and do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds in their structure. In water quality terms, inorganic contaminants include metals and mineral ions, which come from natural sources, pipes, or industrial activity. They are not organic compounds (which are carbon-based), not biological agents (living organisms or their byproducts), and not radiological materials (radioactive substances). So lead and mercury fit squarely in the inorganic category.