研究了汞在环境和井水中的循环，以确定水井设备中有时含有的元素汞对人类健康威胁的严重性。分析结果表明，供水设备中的金属汞不会对人类健康构成威胁。由于汞浓度较低且不利于甲基化，溶解在井水中的无机汞极不可能发生甲基化。即使形成少量甲基汞，也没有鱼类或贝类将甲基汞浓缩到对人类健康构成威胁的程度。包括15个参考文献、表格和图表。

The cycling of mercury in the environment and in well water was studied to determine the seriousness of the threat to human health of the elemental mercury sometimes contained in water well equipment. Results of the analysis indicate that metallic mercury in water supply equipment does not pose a threat to human health. Because of low mercury concentrations and unfavorable conditions for methylation, the methylation of inorganic mercury dissolved in well water is highly unlikely. Even if a small amount of methylmercury is formed, there are no fish or shellfish present to concentrate the methylmercury to the point at which it would be a threat to human health. Includes 15 references, tables, figures.