Cyanide
EPA MCLG
0.2 mg/L
The level in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. This is a goal, not an enforceable limit.
Health Effects
Nerve damage or thyroid problems
Source: EPA — National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (retrieved 2026-07-27)
Common Sources
- Discharge from steel/metal factories
- discharge from plastic and fertilizer factories
Is your Cyanide result safe? Get a free reading
The EPA MCLG for Cyanide is 0.2 mg/L. Upload your water test (PDF or a photo) and we'll email a plain-English reading of where your result lands — and every other number — free. Educational only, no medical claims.
Your upload also helps us keep local water data accurate — we only ever share anonymized, area-level summaries.
Upload my testHow to Remove It
Water filters certified under the following NSF standards are effective at removing Cyanide:
Get Cyanide Updates
Research updates, regulation changes, and filter recommendations — in your inbox.
Free forever. Unsubscribe anytime. We never share your email.
Where is Cyanide Found?
Cyanide has been detected above EPA health guidelines in 7 cities serving 1.2M people across the US.
and 2 more cities
About the EPA MCLG
The EPA MCLG is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. It is a non-enforceable public health goal, and is often stricter than the legal limit (MCL) water systems must meet.
Contaminant Type
Cyanide is classified as a Inorganics contaminant.
Related Inorganics Contaminants
Check Your Water
Find out if Cyanide is in your tap water.
Search cities for Cyanide dataTest Your Water for This Contaminant
Public water reports may not test frequently enough or at your specific tap. Professional home testing provides current, location-specific results.
SimpleLab
Standard Home Water Test
$232
Comprehensive water analysis testing over 200 contaminants including bacteria, heavy metals, and chemical compounds.
SimpleLab
Advanced Home Water Test
$369
Most comprehensive home water test including all standard tests plus additional parameters for ultimate peace of mind.
Tap Score
Advanced Microplastics Test
$636
Cutting-edge testing for microplastics particles in drinking water using advanced laboratory techniques.
Stay Informed About Your Water Quality
Get EPA reports, filter recommendations, and safety alerts for your area.
Join 10,000+ people protecting their families. Unsubscribe anytime.